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Copyright, 1897, by 

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TO MY LITTLE NEPHEW 
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THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY 
INSCRIBED BY HIS 
UNCLE FRANK 


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INTRODUCTION 


The following story was first told under 
peculiar circumstances, calculated to tax to the 
utmost the imaginative powers of the author. 
A little boy, very dear to the writer, was very 
ill. The crisis of the disease was reached one 
Sunday morning. In order that he might en- 
dure the extreme suffering caused by the medi- 
cal treatment, it was necessary that his mind 
should be diverted from his sufferings on that 
day. Before the sun should set he would be 
either convalescent or past help. 

Uncle Frank,” was the early morning greet- 
ing on that fateful day, ‘‘ please tell me a fairy- 
story, and make it exciting, for it does hurt 
so! ” 

Then and there began the recital of the ro- 

X 


INTRODUCTION 


XI 


mance which follows. It was not difficult, as the 
story proceeded, to read in the boyish face the 
expression of interest or weariness. At times 
the admonition to “ make it exciting ” further 
stimulated the powers of the narrator. Break- 
fast was eaten at the bedside of the sufferer; 
the dinner-hour was passed in like manner, the 
narrative proceeding between the mouthfuls; 
and supper was discussed between conflicts of 
Kings Vim and Leo, until at last night came, 
and the sick little auditor was quiet in restful 
slumber. The crisis had passed, and the battle 
had been won. The patient was convalescent. 
Is it strange that to him whose suffering occa- 
sioned the telling of it, and whose interest in it 
encouraged the writing of it, I dedicate this 
story ? 

There were older listeners also. They urged 
its publication. Upon them must rest the re- 
sponsibility for this book. That it may prove 
interesting, and possibly comforting, to other 
little ones in need of entertainment, and that 
they too, like him for whom it was first told, 
may find in its pages relief from pain and weari- 
ness, is the hope of their sincere friend. 

The Author. 







CONTENTS 


I 

THE WAVE RIDERS 

II 

THE LEAF RIDERS 

III 

THE BUBBLE RIDERS 

IV 

THE MAGIC CHAIR 

V 

THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 








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Their little, minim forms arrayed 
In the tricksy pomp of fairy pride.’ ^ 

The Culprit Fay. 



THE WAVE RIDERS 


AST summer I was living by the 
" sea. The cottage in which I 
dwelt stood half-way up the 
side of a high hill. Upon the 
highest point of this hill was a 
lighthouse, the lamps of which, 
every night, sent their beauti- 
ful, pale light far out over the 
ocean, to warn sailors that 
their ships were nearing the 
land, and that they must avoid the rocks of the 
shore. Far below was the deep blue sea, which 
was always, night and day, rolling its waves on 
a beach of white sand. 

I was very fond of walking on the beach, and 
3 




4 


PRINCE UNO 


often sat down on the sand, 
near the water’s edge, where I 
could watch the waves come 
chasing each other in, like chil- 
dren at play. On the after- 
noon about which I am going 
to tell you, I went farther from 
home than usual, down to a 
little bay, where the trees grew 
close to the beach, and where 
no one seemed .ever to come. 

It was very quiet. The sun 
was shining brightly on the 
water and the land, and there 
was no sound that I could hear, 
save the soft whispering of the 
waves as they came running in, 
one after another, to break into 
foam on the clear white sand. 

I sat down to watch them. 

While looking at them I 
thought I could perceive dif- 
ferent colors in the foam, and 
that instead of being always 
white and frothy, it was some- 
times blue, sometimes red, and 
at other times yellow or green. 

At last I fancied I could hear 
a merry sound, as if the waves 
were actually laughing. At times, too, I thought 
I heard low, soft music, like the singing of very 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


6 



small children, far, far away. 

It was such a pleasant sound 
that I moved nearer to the 
waves, so that they came al- 
most to my feet. I then dis- 
covered that the sounds I 
heard were not made by the 
waves at all, but by numbers 
of little people. They were 
dressed in blue and red and 
yellow and green silks, and 
had white feathers in their 
hats, and, some of them, gold 
sashes over their shoulders. 

They were riding on the tops 
of the waves, singing and 
laughing, as the water came 
rolling up the sand. What 
seemed to me very strange 
was that they were not at all 
wet, but that as each little fellow came 
in on the top of a wave he ran up on the 


riding 

beach 


6 


PRINCE UNO 


as dry as a feather. Evidently the water 
had no power to wet them or their beautiful 
clothing, and they seemed as much at home on 
the waves as on the land. After running a 
short distance up the beach, they would rise 
softly into the air, apparently without effort, 
and, floating out over the sea, would catch a 
new wave, and jump laughingly on it, to come 
riding in as before. It was very pleasant to see 
how much they appeared to enjoy the power of 
floating through the air without wings, and of 
riding on the waves without getting wet. 

While I sat watching them I noticed one 
beautiful little fellow, who was dressed so fine 
he looked like a prince. I made up my mind 
that the little people were fairies, and that he 
was their prince or king. At last he came rid- 
ing in on the top of a wave which was larger 
than usual, and which carried him far up on the 
beach where I was lying. It landed him grace- 
fully from its crest, quite near my face. As he 
stepped daintily down to the sand, he nodded 
pleasantly to me, just as if he knew I had been 
there all the time, and just as if he had been 
acquainted with me all his life. As he was 
turning to run back again, I reached out my 
hand quickly and caught him. I was careful 
not to hurt him, and was surprised and pleased 
to find that he was laughing good-naturedly, 
was not at all afraid, and evidently was not 
angry with me for detaining him. Indeed, he 









8 


PRINCE UNO 


acted as if it were all a playful joke which he 
understood and enjoyed. 

Holding him in my hand, upon which, when 
I finally opened it, he walked about, I was able 
to observe him more closely. He was beautifully 
and richly dressed. The feather in his hat was 
from the wing of a humming-bird, and was 
fastened with a diamond, the brightest I had 
ever seen. He himself was no larger than my 
finger. He had a merry, handsome face, and 
long curling hair, which fell over his shoulders 
in ringlets of gold. He was dressed throughout 
in yellow satin. Over his shoulder was a small 
gold chain which held a little trumpet made of 
pearl. From a belt about his waist, in a bright 
silver scabbard, hung a small sword. All the 
buttons of his coat and vest were diamonds, 
which, whenever he moved, shone brightly. 

“ Are you afraid? ” I inquired of him. 

He answered quickly, No ” ; and laughingly 
added, Why should I be?” 

I was charmed with his manners and his 
courage, and exclaimed, '' Why, do you know 
me?” 

He replied, “Certainly ; you are Uncle Frank.” 

You may be sure this surprised me not a 
little. 

He continued : “ I have known you a long 
time ; but if I had never met you before, I 
should not be afraid of you. You could not 
injure me if you wished to,” 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


9 


As he spoke, an ugly-looking spider came 
running over the sand toward the place where 
we were talking, and, supposing the Prince 
would be frightened, I lifted him somewhat 
higher from the ground, and said, '' Don’t be 
afraid; the spider cannot reach you.” 

He turned his bright little face toward me with 
such a look of surprise and amusement upon it 
that I saw I had made a mistake. Then, plac- 
ing both hands upon his sides, he laughed so 
long and heartily — such a merry, ringing laugh 
— that I could not help smiling at his good 
humor. 

“ Afraid of a spider! ” said he. “ Why, don’t 
you know that neither beast nor bird nor fish 
nor insect could hurt a fairy 1 I am their king ; 



10 


PRINCE UNO 


they all have to obey me. I am not afraid of a 
lion. If I ordered him to do so, the great, ugly, 
roaring fellow would have to carry me about on 
his back. I am not afraid of an eagle ; I have 
had many a bold ride on an eagle.” 

By this time the spider had crawled to where 
we were, and, strange to say, looked as if it 
wished to speak to the Prince. Sure enough, it 
did. The Prince nodded smilingly to it. '' Well, 
old Longlegs,” said he, "‘what do you want?” 

To my surprise the spider answered : 

“ Does your Majesty want any swings this 
afternoon ? ” 

“ Yes,” said the Prince ; “ I want — let me see 
— five hundred, right away.” 

The spider actually made a bow and turned 
to go. He was soon out of sight in the woods, 
and the fairy asked, “Would you like to go 
with me and see the swings? ” 

I was glad to do so, for I had nothing else to 
occupy my time, and we started together. I 
was surprised to find that, as we walked side by 
side, I a tall man and he a tiny fellow no big- 
ger than my finger, he got over the ground 
quite as fast as I did, and kept up with me with- 
out trouble. It was very strange, for he evi- 
dently took no more steps than I did, and 
seemed not to hurry in the least. We soon 
reached the woods, and I was about to enter 
beneath the green trees when I drew back 
shuddering, for hanging from the limbs were 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


11 


hundreds of spiders, some of them great, black, 
disagreeable-looking fellows. 

The Prince, who had been watching me mis- 
chievously, quickly perceived my nervousness, 
and laughed heartily. “ Who is afraid of the 
spiders now ? ” said he. '' Let me pick you up ; 
don’t be afraid; they won’t hurt you! ” He 
was repeating almost my very words, and seemed 
to enjoy so much having turned the joke upon 
me that I could not help smiling at his good 
nature. 

“ All joking aside,” said he, ” you need not 
be afraid ; they are spinning swings for my peo- 
ple, and will soon be through and gone. Then 
you will see some fun, for my merry men are 
very fond of swinging.” 

I now looked again, and could see that each 
spider was actually spinning a swing. The 
busy creature would run out upon a limb of a 
tree, and it seemed but a moment before a 
beautiful silken rope, formed into a tiny swing, 
would be hanging from the limb. Ere long 
there were hundreds of these swings hanging 
from the trees, of green, blue, and yellow spider- 
silk. At last, one by one, the spiders left the 
woods, until all had vanished except old Long- 
legs, who came up to the Prince and said, The 
swings are finished, your Majesty, and we 
retire.” 

The Prince nodded approvingly to him, and 
lifting the small pearl horn to his lips, blew a 


12 


PRINCE UNO 


clear, ringing note or two, as sweet as a canary- 
bird’s song, most pleasant to hear. It went 
sounding through the leaves of the trees, out 
over the sandy beach, and far across the waves. 
It seemed only a moment before I heard the 
fairies coming. They came with merry shouts 
and ringing laughter. Soon each swing held 
one of them, laughing, and swinging until his 
little feet kicked the highest leaves of the trees 
— they swung so high. The Prince seemed 
pleased to see them enjoy themselves so heart- 
ily, and after watching them a moment, turned 
to me and said, Do you not think us a good- 
natured, happy people. Uncle Frank? ” 

I replied that I certainly did, and ventured to 
ask him where they all lived. 

That would be telling,” said he. ** We 
have a beautiful city not far from here, but no 
mortal man ever walked through its streets. I 
have half a mind, however, to take you to see 
it, and may yet do so if you will promise — hold 
up your right hand!” (he said this very seri- 
ously) — ” solemnly and faithfully never to tell 
where it is.” 

I was very eager to visit his city ; so desirous, 
indeed, that I was not long in promising. The 
Prince reached out his hand to a cobweb bell- 
rope, which hung, with its white tassel, out of a 
cedar-tree near by, and gave it three gentle 
pulls. In a moment I heard the distant tinkling 
of a silver bell, and almost instantly there ap- 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


13 


peared before us a fairy servant. He was dressed 
something like waiters I had seen in hotels, with 
a long white apron and small white cap, and a 
bunch of tiny gold keys suspended from his 
waist. He lifted his hat respectfully to the 
Prince, and awaited his orders. 

Pepin,” said the fairy, “ unlock the door to 
the large staircase in the cave.” 

In a moment the servant departed, and the 
Prince, beckoning to me to follow, led the way 
through the woods to a place which I could not 
remember having ever before seen. After walk- 
ing quickly across the sand of the beach, we 
came to a large stone. 

” You must lift that stone,” said he. 

I stooped, and using all my strength, for it 
was quite large, succeeded in lifting it, and was 
surprised to find below it a small staircase lead- 
ing down under the sand. 

The Prince stepped boldly down before me, 
and told me to follow him, and to close the door 
after me. I obeyed. It closed more easily 
than it had opened. I soon followed him down 
the steps. The passageway was cut in solid 
rock. For some distance it was quite dark ; so 
dark, in fact, that I would have found it difficult 
to tell the whereabouts of the Prince if he had 
not instructed me, from time to time, how to 
proceed. The passage grew lighter, however, 
as we descended, and at last we came out into 
open daylight. 


14 


PRINCE UNO 



It was a strange but beautiful 
country which I now beheld, un- 
like any I had ever before seen. 
A short distance in front of us 
was abeautiful city. The streets 
were paved with a sort of pink 
stone. The small houses were 
of pearl and marble. Many of 
the tallest of them were four and 
five stories in height, and per- 
fect in every respect. As I 
walked past them I noticed that 
their roofs and chimneys came 
no higher than to my waist. 
Everything, in fact, was won- 
derfully small. The tallest trees, 
for instance, reached no higher 
than to my vest pockets. The 
streets were crowded with lit- 
tle people and with numberless 
small carriages. The horses 
were of different colors, black, 




16 


PRINCE UNO 


brown, and white, and very handsome and spir- 
ited, but not larger than rats. The streets were 
very narrow; so narrow, in fact, that two men 
as large as myself could not have walked st 
on the little sidewalks. I had to step carefully 
in consequence. 

I observed that, while there wet ny 
houses, there were no stores, and I spoke of this 
to the Prince. He said fairies had no stores, and 
required only houses in which to live, but that 
if I would like to visit some little people who 
were not fairies, who, though as small as him- 
self, were real people like myself, and who lived 
in another city not far away, under his protection, 
he would take me there some day and I should 
see stores enough. These carriages and horses 
which you see,” he added, do not belong to 
the fairies. We have no use for horses. They 
belong to the little people of whom I speak. 
Some of them drive over from their city every 
day.” 

By this time we were in front of a beautiful 
house, very much larger than the others, built 
entirely of pearl, and with wide steps of agate 
and carnelian stone leading up to the door. On 
each side of the steps was a golden lamp-post. 
I was not long in deciding that this was the 
palace of the Prince himself, for he ran grace- 
fully up the steps, and invited me to follow. 
As the house came no higher than to my vest 
pockets, and as I should certainly have broken 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


17 


down the steps if I had placed one of my great 
feet upon them, I naturally hesitated. Observ- 
ing 1..^ ,, .hesitation, he turned to me and said, 
'*V’"’f^'Ou not come in and take dinner with 
me ? ' I replied that I would be very glad to 
do so, but that he had evidently forgotten either 
tha^ ^‘'•^i^ouse was so small or that I was so 
large. . .+ je laughed heartily. Why, sure 
enough! ” he exclaimed. “Here I have been 
talking and gossiping until I forgot all about 
your immense size — but I will soon fix that." 
He took from his pocket a small glass bottle. 
“ Take a drink of that," said he. I reached out 
my great hand, and taking the tiny bottle from 
him as he stood at the top of the steps, placed 
it to my lips. It was a mere drop, but what an 
effect it had upon me! In an instant I felt 
myself growing smaller. My head commenced 
going down toward my feet, as if I had been a 
great spy-glass shutting up. My arms grew 
shorter, my hands smaller. In less time than 
it takes me to write it I was as small as the 
Prince himself. He took a step backward and 
looked at me approvingly. “ I think I am a 
little the taller of the two," said he, laughingly. 
“ That was a big swallow you took." 

It was all very funny, but I began to get 
frightened. It would be no joke, thought I, if 
I were always to stay as small as this. He, how- 
ever, only laughed at my discomfiture and at 
my little pale face, and said : “ Don’t be afraid ; 


18 PRINCE UNO 


I can as easily 
change you back 
again. Come with 
me and look at 
yourself in the 
mirror. When you 
have had dinner I 
will make you as 
big and clumsy 
and homely and 
awkward as you 
were a minute ago. 
You might as well 
be happy for the 
short time you are 
to be good-look- 
ing! ” 

He said this so 
merrily that it 
quite reassured 
me, and I was soon 
laughing. Find- 
ing that I could 
not help myself, 
and that I was now 
small enough to go 
up the steps and 
into the palace, 
which, to tell the 
truth, I was very 
eager to see, I was 






: : : I 




THE WAVE RIDERS 


19 


soon by his side, and, arm in arm, we entered 
the door together. The Prince laughed again 
when I stooped on entering the doorway, which 
was now much higher than my head. Certainly 
he had some excuse for doing so. I have 
always observed,” said he, dryly, ''that geese 
stoop when entering a door, no matter how high 
it may be.” 

We went into the hall. In it were little ser- 
vants in livery, who took our hats as the Prince 
led the way to the parlor. I had time to ob- 
serve, in passing, that the hall floor was inlaid 
with small blocks of different-colored stone, and 
that a beautiful staircase leading to the upper 
floor was of silver with golden balustrades. The 
stair carpet was a broad velvet ribbon of a deep 
crimson. As the Prince seemed to be im- 
mensely rich, and to think very little of expense, 
I could not doubt that the silver was real silver 
and the gold real gold. 

The parlor was quite a large room — I should 
say fully three feet long by two feet wide. It was, 
as I could see at a glance, very richly furnished. 
The carpet of bright colors which covered 
the floor was soft and pleasant to walk upon. 
The sofas and chairs were upholstered in red 
and yellow satin. The walls were covered with 
beautiful paintings in gold frames, except at 
each end of the room, where a large mirror 
reached from the ceiling to the floor. 

In one of these mirrors I caught sight of my- 


20 


PRINCE UNO 


self. There I was, no taller, certainly, than a 
man’s finger, my head no bigger than a cherry, 
and with such a wee, round, fairy- like face that 
I laughed again and again at my little self. The 
Prince, who stood by my side, and who had 
evidently been slyly waiting to observe my 
astonishment, was actually the taller of the two 
by a full half-head ! 

I felt for my watch to see what time it was, 
and discovered that it, too, like myself, had 
grown smaller. It was, in fact, no larger than 
a shirt-button, and yet in every respect as per- 
fect as before, and was actually keeping time 
and ticking away as though nothing had hap- 
pened to it. I could not believe my eyes, and 
opened the back of it to see if the wheels were 
actually moving. I found them all running as 
though they had never been any larger. I 
returned the watch to my pocket, and soon 
found that everything else in my pockets had 
changed like the watch. My knife was a most 
interesting little affair, the blades as sharp as a 
razor and as bright as a sixpence. My keys 
were all of them so small that they would not 
have unlocked my portfolio at home. My 
pocket-book was only about half the size of a 
postage-stamp, and the money in it was so small 
that I do not believe I could have bought a 
penny’s worth of candy with the whole of it. 
To say that I was astonished would be to say 
very little, and yet I was now really more 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


21 


amused than either surprised or frightened. 
The Prince was so good-natured that I could 
not doubt that I should have a good time, and 
that he would change me back again whenever 
I should ask him to. 

“ I have ordered a cozy dinner for you and 
me alone, in a small dining-room,” said he, “ so 
that we may not have to meet my entire court 
in the large room.” 

This suited me exactly, and when, a few 
minutes later, a servant announced that dinner 
was ready, the Prince invited me to follow him 
into a very pleasant room, just off the parlor, in 
which was a table well filled with beautiful dishes 
and inviting food. A hasty glance convinced 
me that the dishes, knives, forks, and spoons 
were all of gold and silver, and the immense 
wealth of the Prince left me no room to doubt 
that they were solid. 

We took our seats, and several waiters, no 
larger than ourselves, commenced to bustle 
about and hand us the food. Everything was 
delicious. Indeed, I had never eaten any din- 
ner so well cooked. The chickens were no 
larger than honey-bees, snipe no bigger than 
mosquitos, oranges and apples about the size of 
huckleberries, bananas smaller than date-seeds, 
and everything else in proportion. 

''Well,” said the Prince at last, "how does 
the dinner suit you ? ” 

I replied that everything was delicious, but 


22 


PRINCE UNO 



that I was very hungry and could not get 
enough. To my astonishment the Prince, upon 
hearing this, laughed so loud and long that I 
was at a loss to understand what there could be 
in my answer which caused him so much 
amusement. I could see that he was laughing 
at me, and I could not help feeling somewhat 
uncomfortable. “ What are you laughing at? ” 
I inquired. 

He looked at me without answering, and 
placing both hands to his sides, rose from his 
chair, and fairly bent over with merriment, 
growing so red in the face with laughing and 
coughing that I slapped him on the back to 
prevent his choking. He would no sooner re- 
cover from one attack, and take a look at my 
astonished face, than he would have another 
attack. Indeed, he seemed so convulsed with 
enjoyment of his joke, whatever it was, that at 
last I could not help laughing myself, although 
I knew that he was laughing at me, and that he 
was not treating me as politely or considerately 
as a guest should be treated. 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


23 



‘‘ What in the name of sense are you laugh- 
ing at? ” I demanded again. 

'' Why,” said he, just to think ! I forgot to 
change your appetite! Here you are a little 
scrap of a fellow three inches long with a great 
six-foot appetite ! ” And he held his sides and 
laughed again, until I think every one in the 
palace, and the town itself, must have heard him. 

Why,” he continued, ''just think of it! It 
is a wonder you did not devour your little self. 
I would not carry about with me such an appe- 
tite as that of yours for a fortune. However, 
I will soon fix that ” ; and drawing a small box 
from his pocket, he took out of it a powder, and 
told me to take it in a little water. I did so, and 
soon felt that my appetite, like my body, was 
growing smaller. 

We now sat down again to the table, and my 
dinner began to satisfy me. I found that I 
would be able to get a very good meal. 

After the table had been cleared, nuts and 
raisins were brought in. While eating them, the 
conversation turned upon the city and its people. 


24 


PRINCE UNO 


“ I cannot understand, my dear Prince, why 
it was that when we walked through the town 
the people did not seem at all surprised to see 
me.” 

“ Those from Weeboro did not see you,” said 
the Prince — this, he explained, was the name 
of the city where lived the people who owned 
the horses and carriages I had seen — “ and the 
fairies themselves,” he continued, would not 
be surprised because they saw you in my com- 
pany. You would be invisible to the people 
from Weeboro.” 

“ Do you mean to say,” I exclaimed, that 
I was entirely invisible, and could not be seen 
by them at all? ” 

That ’s what invisible usually means, is n’t 
it?” answered the Prince, mischievously. 

''Yes,” I replied, somewhat nettled at his 
sharpness, and provoked at my own stupidity. 
" But what made me invisible to them? ” 

" I did,” said he. '' You must remember 
they are not fairies like us, but real people like 
yourself. They would have been frightened 
enough if they had seen you, but I have the 
power of making myself and others invisible, 
and I exercised that power in your case.” 

"But,” I inquired, "am I invisible now?” 

" No, not now ; they could see you now, but 
would think you a fairy like myself ; the fairies 
alone would know the difference.” 

" Well,” I answered, " it is certainly all very 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


26 


strange. You must excuse me for asking so 
many questions. You said that you had no 
stores in the town because you did not need 
them; will you please explain why?” 

Because we fairies do not have to buy any- 
thing; we have everything we need simply by 
wishing for it. When you visit the city of 
Weeboro you will see stores enough, I promise 
you, for they have stores and mills and horses 
and carriages and steamboats and railroads, just 
like larger people.” 

I became more and more interested, and 
longed to see these little people and their city, 
and determined to visit them, if the Prince 
would only show me the way. 

May I ask a very impolite question, my 
dear little Prince? ” 

Certainly,” he replied; “but permit me to 
remind you that I am half a head taller than 
yourself, and am somewhat sensitive about being 
called little by such a short fellow.” 

I begged his pardon with the same good 
nature with which he had taken me to task, and 
continued : “ Well, most mighty potentate, I 
have taken dinner with you and have enjoyed 
it very much,” — he nodded pleasantly, — “and 
I would like to know the name of a host who 
has shown me such kindness. May I ask your 
name ? ” 

He looked at me intently for a moment, and 
answered, “ Uno.” 


26 


PRINCE UNO 


Why, no ; I 
don’t know,” I re- 
plied, astonished at 
his answer. I am 
sure I never heard 
your name in my 
life!” 

He laughed 
heartily. '' My 
name is Uno — 
Prince Uno — U- 
n-o ; don’t that 
spell Uno? ” 
“Ah!” I ex- 
claimed, “ that is 
a very pretty name. 
Now, may I inquire 
if you are mar- 
ried?” 

“ Yes,” said he ; 
“ and as we have 
disposed of the dinner I will conduct you to the 
parlor where we shall find the Princess and our 
children. They will be very glad to meet you.” 

We accordingly left the table, he leading the 
way, and entered the parlor. A very handsome 
little woman, with large dark eyes and bright 
golden hair, — a contrast which gave her a very 
striking appearance, — rose to receive me. There 
were other people in the room, but the Princess 
herself was so beautiful, graceful, and pleasant 





THE WAVE RIDERS 


27 


to look upon that I saw only her. I bowed 
very low. 

“My dear Princess,” said Uno, “let me 
present to you our old friend, Uncle Frank.” 

She came forward, and, in the most charming 
and friendly manner, held out both hands to me. 

I bent my head respectfully and pressed her 
hands to my lips. 

“ I am very glad to see you here in our home, 
Uncle Frank,” she was pleased to say. “ It is 
not the first time I have met you, however, for 
I assure you I am very well acquainted with 
you. Let me show you our children ” ; and she 
tripped gracefully across the parlor to bring two 
little children who had been looking out of the 
window. 

“May I ask the name of the Princess?” I 
inquired of the Prince. 

“ Certainly,” he replied; “ Ino.” 

“Of course you do,” said I ; “ but have you 
any objection to telling me?” 

“ None whatever,” and he laughed heartily. 
“ What makes you so stupid this evening, my 
dear Uncle Frank; her name is Ino — I-n-o; 
don’t that spell Ino?” 

I could not but admit that it did, and when 
the lovely Ino returned with her children we 
were both of us in rare good humor over my 
mistake. 

I thought I had never before seen anything 
half so cunning as the two diminutive creatures 


28 


PRINCE UNO 


who now stood before me. One was a bright 
boy with curly hair and laughing eyes; the 
other a beautiful girl, the perfect image of her 
handsome mother. The boy was the taller of 
the two, yet he was certainly not more than one 
inch high. To my delight, they did not seem 
at all afraid of me. They answered all my 
questions in a modest and intelligent manner. 
It was pleasant to observe that they were not 
at all pert or forward. In this respect they 
were models of behavior for some larger children 
of my acquaintance, who, when called up before 
company, seem to think that the opportunity is 
one for attempting to appear smart.” 

May I ask, dear Princess, where you ever 
met me before? ” 

“ Certainly,” she replied. ” I have seen you 
many times and in many places. The Prince 
and I generally travel together, and we go far 
and wide, I assure you. We have been in your 
own house many times.” 

I was surprised at this, but it was, after all, 
no more wonderful than everything connected 
with these little people. The Princess requested 
me to be seated, and as we took chairs, the 
children were permitted to run back to the win- 
dow. I was disposed to make many inquiries, 
especially as all my questions were so pleasantly 
answered, either by the Prince or by his wife, 
who was particularly witty and agreeable. 
Although there were other people in the room, 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


29 


as I have before stated, I was not introduced to 
them. They seemed to be chatting pleasantly 
at the other end of the parlor, and were, I be- 
lieve, playing some game, so that we were in a 
measure alone at our end of the room. 

The city of Weeboro was especially interest- 
ing to me, and I learned much about it from 
the Prince and his wife. To be entertained by 
such small fairies was certainly extraordinary, 
— every one, however, knows that fairies are 
small, — but to see and talk with real people like 
one’s self, who are no larger than one’s finger, 
and yet have real houses and real horses and 
real steamboats, in every respect as perfect as 
the largest in the world, was to me most won- 
derful. I determined to see this city of Wee- 
boro and to hold the Prince to his promise to 
show it to me. 

“ It must be pleasant,” I remarked to the 



30 


PRINCE UNO 


Prince, to live so happily as do your people, 
who have everything they need to eat and wear 
simply by wishing for it, and have nothing to 
do but to enjoy themselves.” 

“ There you are mistaken,” said he. We 
are happy enough, you may be sure ; but we 
have enough to do, and I think that is the very 
reason that we are happy. Our work consists 
in doing good to others, and I have always ob- 
served that people are happiest who follow that 
occupation.” 

You surprise me. I supposed you had only 
to enjoy your- 
selves,” said I. 

” May I inquire 
what such little 
people can find to 
do?” 

“ Much — very 
much,” he replied. 

“ It would be a 
long story to tell 
you all of our 
duties, but I will 
describe a few of 
them. There are 
many kinds of 
fairies, who have 
each their work to 
do. There are the 
‘ Sleep Fairies,’ 



THE WAVE RIDERS 


31 


whose duty it is to help in nursing sick children. 
They wear shoes of the softest down, in order 
that their footsteps may not be heard in the sick- 
room. They always carry fans and delightful 
perfumes, and many a sick child finds his fore- 
head cooled, he knows not how, and falls gen- 
tly to sleep, forgetting pain and fever, never 
dreaming that the kind and gentle Sleep Fairies 
have been by his bedside all night. In the 
morning parents and physician find him better, 
but no one understands why. None saw the 
gentle fairies touching the weary eyelids and 
cooling the feverish and aching head through 
the long hours of the night.” 

It was delightful to hear him. 

” And then,” he continued, ” there are the 
' Flower Fairies.’ Oh, what a homely world 
this would be if it were not for the flowers! 
Often a beautiful but helpless flower will be 
deprived of its refreshing dew by some great, 
rough, overbearing tree or selfish bush. But 
the fairies look to that! When the sun goes 
down they are at work, and many a tiny cupful 
of dew is carried to a flower upon which it could 
never fall. In the morning the beautiful flower 
is refreshed and bright with new strength to 
meet the sunbeams; and only the flower and 
the fairies know the reason why. But I would 
tire you telling you all that we do,” said he. 
” Some night I will take you with me.” 

I accepted his invitation with thanks, and 


32 


PRINCE UNO 


promised to be ready any night he should 
appoint. 

“ Are these little ones your only children ? ” 
I inquired. 

To my alarm the Princess turned pale and 
seemed about to faint ; and the Prince himself, 
for all that he hurried to her side and seemed 
anxious only on her account, looked much dis- 
tressed. That I had asked an unfortunate 
question was very evident, and words could not 
express how greatly I regretted it. 

The Princess soon recovered, however, and 
after a moment the Prince said sadly : Is it 
possible you have never heard how we lost our 
brave boy ? But I forget ; of course you have 
not. At some other time I may be able to tell 
you, but not now.” 

I hastened to change what seemed so painful 
a subject, but the recollection of the suffering 
my thoughtless question had caused these 
charming people made me curious to know the 
sad story about which I could not ask. “ How 
strange,” I thought, ” that grief and trouble 
should find their way here ! Even this delight- 
ful couple, in their splendid palace and with all 
their power, are not entirely happy! What 
can be the sad story of the bright fairy boy they 
seem to love so much, but who is not here? 
Of course he cannot be dead.” A suspicion of 
the truth flitted across my mind. He must 
have been stolen from them. But who could 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


33 


steal a fairy’s child ? 
cj.- Would it be possi- 

ble to do such a 
thing? I deter- 
mined, as soon as 
I had made other 
acquaintances in 
Fairyland, to learn 
this secret ; and if I 
could only help to 
restore the little one 
to his parents, how 
gladly would I serve 
this charming pair 
whom I had known 
less than a single day 
and had learned to 
love so dearly ! 

The Prince and 
the lovely Princess 
gradually recovered 
their gaiety, in ap- 
pearance at least. 
They did all they 
yf- could to make my 
evening a pleasant 
one. So successful were they in this that when 
at last I looked at my watch it was nearly eleven 
o’clock, and long past my usual hour for retir- 
ing. 

Rising, I said, ” I must bid you good evening. 



34 


PRINCE UNO 


and must trouble your Majesty to show me the 
way home.” 

I had turned to take leave of my beautiful 
hostess, when she said: ''You cannot go home 
to-night, Uncle Frank. You must stay with us.” 

I thanked her, but insisted that I must go. 

" It is out of the question,” said the Prince, 
smiling. "You must stay with us. I am un- 
able to let you go, and, seriously, I cannot show 
you the way to-night, for reasons which I may 
not explain.” 

He was evidently in earnest, and meant every 
word he said, although he smiled pleasantly all 
the time. This diminutive, charming fellow, I 
had long since learned, was possessed of a will 
of his own and was every inch a king. That 
was hardly doing him full justice, however, for 
he was certainly not over three inches tall. 

" We can make you very comfortable,” said 
the Princess, pleasantly. " If you only knew 
Uno half as well as I do, you would quietly 
submit, being convinced that going home to- 
night is out of the question.” 

What was I to do ? I had left home with the 
expectation of returning by supper-time. Now 
it was already nearly midnight, and I was with- 
out means of sending word to my house. I 
realized that I could not help myself. I was 
now so small that I should have been afraid to 
go home alone, unless the Prince should consent 
to change me back to my natural size. Even 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


35 


if changed, I knew that I could not find the 
way without a guide. I did not even know in 
what direction lay the mysterious passage 
through which, that afternoon, I had entered 
Fairyland with the Prince. There was clearly no 
help for it. 

I determined, however, to try persuasion, and 
accordingly said to the Prince : “ My dear 
Prince, I beg of you, as a special favor, let me 
return home to-night. I really cannot stay all 
night. If you will let me off this time, I will 
come again, — to-morrow, any day you wish, — ■ 
prepared to stay as long as you desire. Indeed, 
if my visit will be agreeable to yourself and 
your charming wife, I shall be glad to return, 
for I could spend months with you pleasantly 
enough ; but to-night I must go home.” 

He smiled, but answered firmly : My dear 
Uncle Frank, L cannot — let — you — go — home 
— to-night. Do not give yourself any uneasi- 
ness. You will understand all in the morning, 
I am really sorry that I cannot explain, but I 
may say this : NO MORTAL EVER GETS OUT OF 

Fairyland by being shown the way.” 

It all seemed very strange. His whole man- 
ner showed plainly that he would like to tell me 
more if he could. At last, convinced that 
somehow all would be right, and realizing that 
I could not help myself, I determined philo- 
sophically to make the best of the situation and 
to accept their invitation to remain. 


36 


PRINCE UNO 




Both thePrinceand 
his wife seemed in- 
expressibly pleased 
and relieved at my 
change of mind. The 
Princess said laugh- 
ingly and mischie- 
vously : *‘You will 
not regret your deci- 
sion to remain with 
us, believe me. We 
cannot help it. I am 
a good housekeeper, 
and can give you a 
pleasant room, and as 
comfortable a bed as 
ever you slept upon.” 



THE WAVE RIDERS 


37 



She then requested the Prince 
to conduct me to my room. Af- 
ter bidding her good night, and 
pressing a kiss upon her exqui- 
site little hand, I turned to follow 
Uno, who was already waiting 
for me on the stairs. He led the 
way into a pleasant front room 
on the second floor. It was splen- 
didly furnished, with a soft car- 
pet, a handsome bureau with a 
fine large mirror, an elegant bed- 
stead of rosewood inlaid with 
gold, and with satin curtains. 
The Prince lighted a golden 
chandelier which hung from 
the center of the ceiling, and, 
turning to me, held out his 
hand. 

I must now bid you good 
night,” said he. Do not wor- 
ry, my dear fellow; all will be 
as you desire. Do you remem- 



38 


PRINCE UNO 


ber the way to the place where I first met you 
this afternoon?” 

I replied that I did perfectly. 

^^Well, be sure not to forget it, and 
be sure, also, to remember that you are always 
welcome to our home. Good night.” 

I thought it strange that he should say all 
this. It seemed to me unnecessary, and that it 
would have been so much more appropriate in 
the morning, when I should be leaving for home. 
“ However,” thought I, ” everything is strange 
here.” 

I could not retire until I had examined the 
room and its contents. Everything was inter- 
esting. I found the little bureau perfect in 
every respect. It had a marble top, and small 
drawers with good locks and keys, and yet the 
whole bureau itself was not larger than the 
square glass inkstand on my desk at home. At 
one end of the room was a marble wash-stand 
with silver faucets and hot and cold water. A 
little pink cake of perfumed soap, not larger 
than an apple-seed, was to me a great curiosity. 
I was tempted to put it in my pocket to take 
home with me, but I thought that it would not 
be polite for a guest to carry off the soap with 
him. I was about to retire when I was inter- 
rupted by a knock on the door. The Prince 
himself had returned to inquire if there was 
anything I needed, and to show me the bell- 
pull, a little silken cord with a gold tassel at the 


THE WAVE RIDERS 


39 


end of it, to which he had forgotten to call my 
attention. I thanked him for his thoughtfulness, 
and assured him that I needed nothing more, 
but asked if he would kindly have me called in 
the morning, as I was retiring much later than 
usual and was afraid I should oversleep. To 
my great surprise he laughed heartily at my 
request, but, observingmy astonishment, checked 
himself immediately, and said, with a mischiev- 
ous look which I could not at the time under- 
stand : ‘'Never fear; you will be called at the 
proper time.’* Again bidding me good night, 
he bowed very low and gracefully — not so low, 
however, as to prevent my observing a roguish 
smile upon his face, which I remembered the 
next day. 

I was soon in bed, but what a bed it was! 
Never had I stretched my weary limbs on one 
so comfortable. The softness of its linen was 
soothing and refreshing. In a moment I was 
asleep. I slept long and soundly. When I 
awoke the sun was shining in at the window. 
It was certainly very late, and, after all, I had 
overslept. I rubbed my eyes, recalled all the 
wonderful things I had seen, and sprang out of 
bed. 



40 


PRINCE UNO 


I was in my own room at home. I looked 
for the fairy bureau, the beautiful bedstead, the 
bright carpet. All were gone. I was standing 
in front of the mirror of my own bureau, and I 
looked quickly to see how small I would appear 
in my own glass. To my surprise I found that 
I was as large as I had ever been. How 
strange ! Had it all been a dream ? I felt sure 
it had not. How distinctly I remembered 
everything, from the moment I saw the fairies 
riding the waves to the very last words the 
Prince had spoken to me before going to bed : 
“You WILL UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING IN 
THE MORNING,” and “ NO MORTAL EVER GETS 

OUT OF Fairyland by being shown the 

WAY.” 

I began to suspect the truth. While asleep, 
I had been carried by the fairies to my own 
room. But how could they carry so large a 
man as I? The explanation was simple when 
I remembered how small I had been the night 
before. They had moved me while I was small, 
and had not changed me to my real size until I 
was safe and snug in my own bed. 

It was all apparent now. The Prince did 
not wish me to learn the way out of Fairyland, 
and had moved me in my sleep. 



“Tbejy come from beds of lichen green, 

They creep from the mullen'‘s velvet screen^ 

The Culprit Fay. 


i 



II 

THE LEAF RIDERS 

PROCEEDED to dress myself. I 
was quite perplexed. My mind 
was filled with recollections of 
my experience of the day before. 
I had not sufficiently recovered 
my self-possession to escape the 
feeling, a most ludicrous one, 
that my hands and feet were un- 
duly large and awkward, espe- 
cially when employed in such tasks as putting 
on my shoes and buttoning my collar. Indeed, 
in this latter task it was almost impossible to 
resist the impression that my hands and face, 
43 



44 


PRINCE UNO 


and, indeed, my whole body, were swollen to an 
unnatural and clumsy size. Under the influ- 
ences of a good breakfast and a refreshing cup 
of coffee, however, I soon recovered my normal 
mental condition. 

Upon retiring to my room after breakfast, I 
was still further surprised to discover that my 
night-key to the front door was not in the pocket 
of my trousers, as usual, but that it had been 
in my bureau drawer all the time. How, then, 
could the fairies have entered the house? It 
was very strange — all very strange. 

I remembered the little Princess had said to 
me that she had been in my house many times. 
How had she entered ? It was plain the fairies 
had no need of keys, and they must have 
brought me into the house in some other way 
than through the door, possibly through the 
window. It was open, and suggested the idea. 

I was very eager to make another trip to 
Fairyland, and, after reading my newspaper, I 
determined to set out for the little bay by the 
sea where I had first met the Prince. 

There were no fairies to be seen. I walked 
across the beach down to the very edge of the 
water; so near, in fact, that I had hard work, 
once or twice, to escape a good wetting by the 
waves, which were higher than usual at that 
hour in the morning. Notwithstanding I 
strained both eye and ear to catch sight or 
sound of my little friends, there was no evidence 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


45 


whatever of their presence, and after waiting 
several hours I returned to my home quite dis- 
appointed. 

The next day, and the day after that, and 
every day of the bright and beautiful summer, 
I went regularly to the seaside, but could learn 
nothing more. Could it be that the fairies 
wished to avoid me, and had no desire to con- 
tinue their acquaintance with me? I felt cer- 
tain that it could not be so. Somehow I felt 
sure that the Prince was fond of my company. 
Could it be that I had missed the way to the 
little bay and had gone to the wrong place? 
How was I to find out? 

I was always thinking of the dear little boy 
who was lost, and always looking for him 
through the woods, over the hill, by the sea, 
everywhere, but I could learn nothing of him. 

One afternoon, when the autumn had begun 
and the leaves were falling from the trees, I had 
wandered farther from home than usual and 
some distance into the woods. At last, being 



46 


PRINCE UNO 


somewhat tired, I sat down to rest upon the 
projecting root of a large tree, and had been 
seated but a few minutes when a sturdy boy 
passed me, pushing before him a large wheel- 
barrow containing a bagful of dried leaves. 

I stopped him to inquire for what purpose he 
was collecting them, and was informed that he 
was storing them in his mother’s barn, to be 
used as warm bedding for 
the cows during the long 
and cold winter nights. 

He seemed willingenough 
to have an excuse for rest- 
ing from his labor, and sat 
down beside me. I soon 
found him quite pleasant 
company. 

“ Is that your mother’s 
barn?” I inquired, point- 
ing to a large barn that 
could be seen through the trees at the foot of the 
hill. He informed me that it was, and that, by 
the way, it was much larger than his mother had 
needed since the death of his father, and served 
no other purpose than that of sheltering the 
cows which were now her only support. 

Are you often in these woods?” I asked. 

^*Yes; I am here every day.” 

“ Have you ever seen any small, very small, 
people when you have been here? ” 

He had often heard sounds as if very small 



THE LEAF RIDERS 


47 


people were talking and singing, and sometimes 
laughing, but he had never seen any of the lit- 
tle people themselves. He had thought that 
possibly the sounds were made by birds or 
crickets. Once," said he, his face brightening 
as he recalled the fact, ‘‘ I did see a large bum- 
blebee flying through the air with something 
that looked for all the world like a wee little 
boy — oh, the very smallest boy you ever saw. 
I thought I heard him crying, but I am not 
sure. Maybe it was n’t a boy ; anyhow, I fol- 
lowed the bee through the woods until I saw 
him go into a hole in a big tree ; but though I 
waited an hour or two, he did not come out 
again, and I got tired and went home." 

I thought at once of the bright boy of my 
Fairy Prince. Could this have been his dear 
stolen child? 

I asked many more questions. Was he sure 
it was a bumblebee, or rather bumblebee," 
as he called it? Did he think he could find the 
tree and show it to me? No, he could not; he 
had often looked for it since that day, but had 
never found it. He was not even sure that 
what he had seen flying through the air was a 
bee ; it only looked like one. 

I mentally resolved to find this tree myself, 
even if, in order to do so, I had to spend every 
day in the forest. It might, after all, however, 
be a mistake of this boy, thought I ; for surely 
no bee could steal a fairy. Had not the Prince 


4-8 


PRINCE UNO 




himself told me that neither beast 
nor bird nor fish nor insect could 
hurt a fairy ? 

While reflecting upon all the 
boy had told me, I observed that 
the leaves were falling faster than 
usual from the trees around us, 
and I looked to see if the wind 
had arisen. There was not a 
breath of air stirring, and yet 
the leaves were coming down in 
showers. The summer had been 
very hot, and they were dry and 
crisp. 

Could I be mistaken, or did I 
hear the sound of laughter and 
of singing as the leaves fell ? I 
listened intently, and was soon 
sure that I heard the laughter 
and shouting of fairies. The 
sound seemed to come from the 
leaves in the air, and at last, after 
watching them steadily for some 
moments, I discovered the fairies 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


49 


themselves. Some of them were climbing into 
the trees and others riding down to the ground 
on the falling leaves. They were evidently en- 
joying themselves hugely, for they laughed and 
shouted ^d rode races one with another, sitting 
upon the leaves as boys do upon sleds. I saw 
some of the little fellows, too impatient to wait 
for the leaves to fall of their own accord, actually 
pull them off the tree, and, jumping on them, 
go riding down swiftly to the ground. 

It was delightful to watch them enter into the 
sport with such evident enjoyment. As soon 
as one would reach the ground he would run 
quickly back to the tree, and, climbing up into 
its branches, would catch a new leaf, or tear 
one from the stem, and go riding down as be- 
fore. 

They were the same fairies I had seen riding 
the waves, but instead of being richly dressed 
in silks of various colors, as on the day when I 
first saw them at the 
sea, they were now 
dressed inplain brown 
clothes of the same 
color as the leaves of 
the trees. This ac- 
counted for my not 
having observed them 
before. 

I desired very much 
to find my little friend 



60 


PRINCE UNO 



the Prince, but he was nowhere to be seen. 
Perhaps he did not always come out with the 
rest. 

At last, however, I caught sight of the dear 
fellow standing under a tree at some distance 
from that from which the fairies were riding. 
He stood, with arms folded, looking quietly on, 
and was clothed in the same rich satin in which 
I had at first seen him. His handsome dress, 
however, was now almost entirely concealed by 
a plain little brown cloak of the same color as 
the clothes of the other fairies. As he stood 
leaning against the trunk of the tree, the color 
of his cloak blended so perfectly with that of 
the bark of the tree that it was no wonder I 
had not observed him before. I was soon by 
his side, and could see that his face was very 
sad ; indeed, a tear upon his cheek was evidence 
that he had been weeping. “ He is thinking of 
his lost boy,” I thought. Apparently he did not 
observe me until I was directly in front of him. 



THE LEAF RIDERS 


51 


The moment he recognized me, he quickly 
brushed away the tear, and his face was bright 
with smiles. 

‘*Ah! my dear Uncle Frank, how I have 
missed you ! ” he exclaimed. Where have you 
been ? ” 

I have been in these very woods every day 
this summer looking for you, my dear Prince,” 
I answered. I mildly reproached him for having 
avoided me, adding that if he had tried half as 
hard to find me as I had to find him we would 
have met before. He smiled sadly at my re- 
proaches, and said : We fairies cannot seek our 
mortal friends; they must make the effort to 
find us. Much as I wanted to see you, my dear 
fellow,” — and he threw a kiss to me with his 
hand, — “ I could not come to show you the 
way. You said you knew the way to the sea- 
side bay.” 



62 


PRINCE UNO 


“ I have been there every day for months/^ 
said 1. 

''And I, too,” said he, smiling; "but you 
must have gone to the wrong place, Uncle 
Frank, or I would have seen you. However, I 
will show you the way once more. Who is 
your youthful friend? ” 

I had forgotten the boy, who had been stand- 
ing with me when I first saw the fairies, and 
who had followed me to where the Prince was 
standing. He had evidently not seen or heard 
the Prince at all, for he was staring at me with 
a most ludicrous expression of countenance, as 
if he thought I had gone crazy, and was talking 
to myself, or to the tree in front of me. I 
could not help smiling at his astonishment, but 
answered the Prince : " He is gathering leaves 
for his mother’s cows, and is carrying them to 
the barn which you see at the foot of the hill.” 

" If he is your friend,” said Uno, " I will help 
him do that in less time than he could carry 
one bagful to the barn.” 

He lifted his pearl horn to his lips, and sounded 
a clear soft note. In a moment the fairies were 
standing respectfully before him. Such a row 
of red cheeks and bright eyes I thought I had 
never seen. Some of them still held a leaf in 
one hand, as a boy would hold a sled, and they 
were all out of breath with the excitement of 
their sport. 

"This boy,” said the Prince, with a dignity 



54 


PRINCE UNO 


which he seemed to forget when speaking to 
me, — “this boy is a friend of Uncle Frank’s, 
and is carrying leaves into that barn. You 
might just as well be useful, while enjoying 
yourselves, and ride your leaves into his barn 
instead of to the ground. It will be a longer 
ride for you, and will save him much hard work.” 

I turned to look at the boy, to see the effect 
upon him of a proposition which was likely to 
make his task an easy one. It was plain he had 
not seen or heard a single fairy, for he was 
regarding me with the same look of astonish- 
ment, and evidently thought I had lost my wits. 
I could not help laughing at his perplexity, 
and turned to see the effect of the Prince’s 
command to his little band. 

With ringing shouts and merry laughter they 
started for the tree, and in a moment clouds of 
leaves were flying toward the barn. I could 
see them enter the barn through the doors and 
windows, and even through the cracks between 
the boards. The fairies soon returned, and, 
taking new leaves from the trees, started for the 
barn as if their lives depended upon their speed. 
The boy was evidently astonished, and could 
not understand it. 

“Just look at the leaves! ” he exclaimed. 
“ Did you ever see the like I If the wind only 
keeps blowing ten minutes more like that, I 
won’t have to gather another one, for the old 
barn will be full.” 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


55 


Fortunately for him, the wind did not stop 
blowing, or rather the fairies did not stop 
riding, until the barn was full of leaves; and 
the delighted boy exclaimed : “ I must hurry 
down and shut the doors and windows, or the 
wind may change and blow them out again ; 
then I ’ll run and tell mother. So good-by ! If 
that ain’t the biggest joke this year! ” In his 
excitement he had run fully half-way down the 
hill before I bethought me to call him back and 
ask him to continue to look for the tree until 
he should find it, and then to watch it for me 
whenever he had time. I gave him a piece of 
money to pay him for his trouble, and he was 
soon once more on his road to the barn. 

I turned to the Prince. He had been observ- 
ing me, and said pleasantly, ** Well, are you 
ready to pay me a visit? ” 

I replied that I was, and remarked that it 
was very kind of him to do so much for the 
poor boy. 

Oh, that is nothing,” he answered. " It 
ought to be a pleasure for one to do a kind act. 
Have you ever observed,” he continued, ” that 
it is still more pleasant to do a kind act and not 
have it known? ” 

I replied that it ought to be, but that I had 
also observed that few were content to do an 
act of kindness and not wait to be thanked for 
it. '' Now, that poor boy,” said I, “ evidently 
thinks that the wind blew the leaves into the 


56 


PRINCE UNO 


barn, although if he had had his wits about him 
he might have seen that there was not a breath 
of wind blowing at the time. He has not the 
slightest idea of giving you the credit for it.” 

“ And I do not want the credit for it,” said 
the noble fellow. “ I think very little of those 
who do good only for the sake of getting credit 
for it.” 

By this time we were out of sight of the other 
fairies, and I inquired if we would not better 
wait for them to catch up with us. 

He smiled. “ Oh, no ; they know the way 
well enough ; besides, they have work to do yet.” 

“You seemed to be invisible to the boy,” I 
said ; “ and I observed that though I heard 
every word you said, he evidently did not hear 
you at all.” 

“ Yes,” said the Prince ; “ it would not do for 
us to let every boy that plays in the woods see 
us and our mad frolics. It would empty every 
school-house in the neighborhood, and they 
would think of nothing but running through 
the woods trying to catch a glimpse of my 
merry men, just as I have seen the foolish 
fellows spend the whole of a summer afternoon 
chasing butterflies.” 

“ My dear Prince,” said I, “ I found you very 
sad this afternoon. I do not wish to pry into 
your sorrows, but I would just like to say this 
to you : that I wish I could serve you in any 
way.” 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


57 


He looked up into my face with the same sad 
expression which I had observed when he was 
standing in the woods. “ My dear Uncle Frank, 
I know you would ; but it is out of your power 
to help me. On account of my poor 
little wife, I could not tell you, the 
other evening when you were with 
us, the sad story of our oldest boy. 

She has not 
regained her 
strength, al- 
though nearly 
two years 
have passed 
since our 
brave boy was 
stolen from 
us ; and I have 
not spoken to 
you of it since, 
because I have felt that you 
could not help me, and be- 
cause I think we ought to 
bear our own burdens of 
grief and sorrow, and not 
thrust them upon other 
people. I see, however, 
yours is the true friendship that would help to 
bear a friend’s burdens.” 

I pressed his hand in silence. It was as I 
suspected, then — the boy had been stolen. 



68 


PRINCE UNO 


“ And who could be so wicked as to rob you 
of your child?” I asked. 

” We do not know,” said he, ” but we suspect 
a Wood-sprite whom I had punished for some 
mischief he had done. He never forgave me, 
though I only did my duty as his King. The 
little boy was last seen in these very woods; 
but though we come here often to look for him, 
and though all the Birds and Crickets and Ants 
have looked for him every day, and the Katy- 
dids by night, we can learn nothing. The little 
fellow must be above ground, or the Ants would 
find him ; and he must be kept inside of a tree, 
or the Birds and Katydids would find him ; but 
the Squirrels and Woodpeckers are friendly to 
the Wood-sprites, and they, who could tell so 
much of what is hidden within the trees, will 
tell me nothing.” 

How strangely,” thought I, '' does all this 
correspond with what the boy saw! I must 
find that tree. I feel sure that I am on the 
right track now. But the Bee!” 

“Are the Bees friendly to you?” I inquired 
anxiously. 

“ The Honey-bees are, but the Humblebees 
are not.” 

“ The boy must have been right, after all,” 
thought I. “ Oh, if I could only find that tree, 
what would I not give!” 

“ Neither the Humblebees, however,” the 
Prince continued, “ nor any other insect, could 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


59 


injure my boy or hurt a fairy in any way. 
The most they could do would be to conceal 
the place where he is hid.” 

*‘Then,” thought I, “it could not have been 
the little Prince, after all, and the boy must 
have been mistaken; for if the most that an 
Humblebee could do would be to refuse to tell 
the hiding-place of the child, it would require 
something more powerful than a Bee to carry 
him off.” In my perplexity, however, a new 
thought occurred to me. 

“What does a Wood-sprite look like?” I 
inquired. 

“ Oh, they change their form very often. 
When traveling they frequently take the form 
of Humblebees — but here we are at the stone 
door.” 

I had not observed that while talking with 
the Prince we had been rapidly approaching 
the large stone cover to the staircase in the 
sand. It was now directly at our feet. 

I lifted it as before, without waiting to be 
told to do so by the Prince, and we descended, 
the stone closing after us, this time apparently 
of its own accord. 

“ Not a word of all this to my dear wife. 
Uncle Frank,” said the little fellow. 

“Never fear; I would not again alarm her 
for all the world.” 

“ Her sorrow wears upon me almost as much 
as the loss of my boy,” said he. “ I have to 


60 


PRINCE UNO 



be as cheerful as possible at 
home, to keep her spirits up. 

But here we are in Fairy- 
land, and I must change you 
to a fairy. Drink from 
this.” 

He handed me a little bottle containing the 
liquid which before had made me so small. 
Placing it to my lips, I took a swallow of its con- 
tents, and soon felt myself going down, down, 
down, till I was no taller than the Prince him- 
self, and could look into his beautiful blue eyes 
without stooping. 

'' I like you better this way,” he said, taking 
my arm in his; it is so sociable.” 

We were soon walking in the little city, under 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


61 



the beautiful trees which 
grew on each side of the 
street. 

Notwithstanding my 
previous experience, it 
still seemed very strange 
to be down so close to 
the ground. I was now 
no taller than the top of 
my shoe had been; in- 
deed, I do not think I 
could have gotten into 
it without a ladder, and 
I am certain that, with 
all my strength, I could 
not have lifted it from 
the ground. It would 
have an- 
swered for a 
house for one 
of my present 
size. 

'' What are 
you thinking 
of ?” inquired 



62 


PRINCE UNO 


the Prince, looking into my face. “ What makes 
you so quiet? ” 

I was thinking of the old woman who lived 
in her shoe,” I replied. I never before could 
understand how she could live in her own shoe, 
but I think I understand it now.” 

The Prince laughed mischievously. '' I don’t 
think she would have been cramped for room if 
her feet had been as big as yours were a mo- 
ment ago! ” 

And her children no larger than fairy 
princes! ” I replied, smiling at his good humor. 

We would better stop joking,” said the 
Prince, looking at me archly. ''You will be 
getting the worst of it, and have your little feel- 
ings hurt, if you persist.” 

It gave me great satisfaction to discover that 
the Prince seemed to take pleasure in my society, 
and to be disposed to treat me in every way as 
his confidential friend. We chatted pleasantly 
together until we had reached his palace, and he 
had started to run up the steps when he turned 
quickly and said : 

" Would you like to visit Weeboro to-day ? ” 

" By all means,” said I, enthusiastically. 
" How long will it take us to go? ” I took out 
my watch to see what time it was. There it was 
again, no larger than a shirt-button, ticking away 
as before. It was just two o’clock. 

" Well,” said the Prince, " let me see. It is 
just two o’clock.” I had not told him the time, 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


63 


Evidently he could tell the time without a watch, 
for he had named the hour exactly. “ I have," 
he continued, “ a long-legged donkey that can get 
over the ground easily in about fifteen minutes.” 

” Well,” I said, trot him out, and we will 
ride over.” 

” We can ride only one at a time,” said the 
Prince, dryly. ” We will find him behind the 
woods yonder.” 

He pointed to a forest of trees just outside 
the city, and we set off at once. When behind 
the trees, where we could not be seen from the 
town, he turned to me and said, ” I must now 
make you large again; swallow this.” 

He handed me a powder, which I placed upon 
my tongue. The effect was magical. I com- 
menced to grow larger with prodigious rapidity, 
and was soon fully six feet in height. 

Lift me up,” said he, ” and let me sit on 
your shoulder. I will show you the way.” 

I placed him on my shoulder as directed. 

Now,” said he, ” I think we would better go 
across lots, so as not to meet any of the Weeboro 
people, who would be frightened out of their 
little wits if they should see so large and homely 
a giant as you are coming down the road. But 
we must be off. Step out! ” 

"But where is the long-legged donkey?” I 
asked. 

" I am going to ride the donkey,” said he; 
" you will have to walk.” 


64 


PRINCE UNO 



He 

laughed so heartily 
at my stupidity, twitching my 
great ear and pulling my hair in his 
merriment, that, although the joke was all at 
the expense of my clumsy self, I could not help 
laughing with him, and I believe I enjoyed it as 
much as he did. In as good humor as ever were 
two mortals setting out on an excursion together, 
I commenced my tramp, feeling very much 
like a donkey, he pulling one of my ears or 
the other, as he desired me to turn right or 
left, in showing me the way. It was not diffi- 
cult for me to step over fences and ditches 
and small hills, and I verily believe that I made 
fully one of their small miles in four of my great 
steps. At such a tremendous pace we were soon 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


65 


near Weeboro. We must not go any farther 
in this direction,” said the Prince. We will 
get behind that mountain which is close to the 
city, and, once there, I can make you small 
again.” I soon reached the place 



66 


PRINCE UNO 


The mountain was several feet higher than my 
head, and I was obliged to step on a small hill at 
its foot in order to look over its summit at the city 
which the Prince informed me was just on the 
other side. Fortunately, there was quite a forest 
of trees on the mountain-top. By bending one 
or two of them aside I could look through them 
without myself being seen by the little people 
in the city below. They would, I believe, have 
been frightened to death had they, without warn- 
ing or explanation, seen such a formidable ap- 
parition as my great face peering at them from 
that height. It was a beautiful town, and cov- 
ered about as much ground as a large vegetable- 
garden. At the foot of the mountain, and 
between me and the city, was quite a large river, 
about as wide as one of our streets. I learned 
afterward they were very proud of this river, 
and still more proud of a very fine stone bridge 
which spanned it, and which they had been many 
years building. It was lighted throughout its 
entire length by little lamps, and was really a 
fine piece of engineering. There were numbers 
of vessels, of all kinds and sizes, in the river, from 
the small tugs, which were puffing about from 
place to place, to the largest ocean steamers, 
which were, some of them, fully ten feet long. 
In the center of the city was a large open square, 
and in front of it a handsome building, which I 
soon concluded was the palace of their king. . 

What interested me most of all, however, was 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


67 


a railroad, on which I could see a small train of 
cars steaming toward the city. The locomotive 
whistled as it came in sight of the depot, and I 
could see little men with red flags hurrying to 
the crossings and beckoning to the people to get 
off the track. The locomotive was certainly not 
more than ten inches long, and the cars in pro- 
portion. I saw the train stop at the depot, which 
was about two feet high and fully five feet 
long. I watched the little passengers get off, 
one by one, while their diminutive trunks were 
taken from the baggage-car by porters and ex- 
pressmen. Carriages and omnibuses were in 
waiting, and were soon bustling through the 
streets on their way to the various hotels. 

I was now conscious of something pricking my 
feet, as if a pin were being run into my shoe. 
Looking down, I saw the Prince sticking his 
sword, which was no longer than a pin, and very 
sharp, right into my foot. In my astonishment 
at seeing the city and its inhabitants, I had for 
the moment forgotten all about the little fellow, 
and he was endeavoring with right good will to 
remind me of his presence and of his claims upon 
my attention. I reached down in a hurry, you 
may be sure, and, picking him up, placed him 
on top of the mountain, where he could stand 
on a level with my face. 

''Are you deaf?” he exclaimed. "I could 
not make you hear a word, though I screamed 
at the top of my voice. You certainly have no 


68 


PRINCE UNO 


corns, for I have been kicking your great clumsy 
feet for an hour past.” And he laughed heartily, 
to my great relief, for I feared he was provoked 
with me for having neglected him. 

Placed in a position where he could point out 
and explain the various objects of interest, he 
was now of great assistance to me, and as he 
knew every building in the city, and was ac- 
quainted with the history of the place from 
the earliest date, his replies to my numerous 
questions' were both interesting and instruc- 
tive. 

Weeboro,” he explained, “ is quite an old 
city, and is governed by a king, a very intelli- 
gent and worthy man, whose palace you see near 
the square. He is well educated, having been 
through college, and governs his people with 
much wisdom. He is a good general, too, and 
in the wars which are sometimes forced upon 
him by the ambitious and proud king of another 
little people, who live some thousand miles or 
more from Weeboro, he never fails to come off 
victorious. That large vessel which you see,” 
he continued, pointing to a steamship in the 
river, “ is one of his war- vessels, and is only 
one of quite a navy.” 

By looking intently I could plainly see the 
muzzles of cannon in the port-holes in her sides. 
I became more and more interested with all that 
I saw, and my interest was heightened by his 
intelligent explanations. The story of Gulliver’s 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


69 


travels among the Lilli- 
putians had always been 
interesting to me, but his 
little folks had neither 
steam-vessels nor real 
cannon nor railroads ; 
they had only bows and 
arrows to fight 
with ; and a loco- 
motive and train of 
cars such as I had 
just seen would 
probably have 
frightened them to 
death. 

It seems too 
bad,” I remarked, 
“that such a very 
small people should 
find it necessary to 
go to war with each 
other, my dear Prince. Can you do nothing to 
prevent it? ” 

“ I cannot interfere,” he replied thoughtfully ; 
“ they must settle that between themselves. 
The most I can do is to protect them from such 
giants as you, and that I very easily accomplish 
by hiding the staircases. If you wish to visit 
the city now, you must lift me down and take a 
swallow from the bottle. The little King would 
think I had betrayed him to destruction if he 



70 


PRINCE UNO 


should see me leading so large a giant through 
his city! ” 

I lifted him carefully down, and took a drink 
from the bottle. In my anxiety to see the city 
I thoughtlessly took a much larger swallow than 
usual, and went down so fast that it made me 
quite dizzy, and jingled the keys in my pocket. 
Indeed, so rapid was my descent that my mouth 
closed with a snap, and, as I was just about 
making a remark to the Prince, my tongue was 
caught between my teeth and received a severe 
bite. The Prince laughed heartily at my dis- 
comfiture, but I was all right again in a moment, 
and, taking his arm, we were soon on our way 
to the bridge. 

Fortunately, he knew the road, and a short 
walk brought us to its entrance. I was surprised 
to find soldiers on guard. They were stationed 
so they could examine those who desired to 
cross. They were handsome fellows, dressed 
in red coats trimmed with gold lace, and yellow 
trousers. Their horses — for they belonged to 
the cavalry — were standing near by, ready sad- 
dled and bridled. The Prince explained that 
the King of Weeboro was very careful of his 
territory, as his enemy was watchful and very 
aggressive, and that it was necessary to be con- 
stantly on the alert, especially at so important a 
place as the bridge entrance. 

As I was impatient to see the city, I felt 
quite annoyed to think that we would have to 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


71 


be detained for the purpose of answering nu- 
merous questions of the soldiers; but as the 
Colonel in command stepped forward to examine 
us, I felt that we must submit to the delay. To 
my surprise, however, he no sooner observed 
my companion, the Prince, than he saluted him 
with great deference, removing his hat until its 
little plume actually trailed in the dust. Then, 
calling one of his soldiers, he whispered a few 
words to him, and came forward himself to 
meet us. The soldier sprang hastily into his 



72 


PRINCE UNO 



saddle, and was soon rid- 
ing as fast as his horse 
could carry him across 
the bridge to the city. 

The Colonel did not 
return his hat tohishead, 
but held it respectfully in 
his hand as he approached 
the Prince. 

‘"Your Ma- 
jesty is very 
welcome to 
Weeboro,”said 
he. “ I have 
just sent word 
to the King of 
your arrival.” 

” It was not 
necessary to 
disturb him, my dear Colonel,” said the Prince. 

We are simply taking a walk.” 

“Will you not wait for the royal carriage?” 
asked the Colonel. 

“ Oh, no,” replied the Prince. “ I think we 
prefer to walk across the bridge, and not trouble 
his Majesty, King Leo.” And bidding him a 
gracious good afternoon, the Prince and I started 
for the city. It was plain to see that the Prince 
was well known, and also greatly respected and 
liked. 

We walked slowly over the bridge, which I 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


73 


examined carefully at every step. It was re- 
markably well built. At every few feet there 
were very handsome lamps. It must have 
been as light by night as by day. We were 
not more than half-way across when I could 
hear a band of music approaching. I soon saw 
a whole army of little soldiers, with their flags 
flying and muskets glistening in the sun, march- 
ing toward us. None of them was taller than 
the Prince. As they approached us, I could 
see several small policemen keeping back the 
crowd, to make room for them to march. 

Directly behind the advance-guard was a 
very elegant open carriage, drawn by four white 
horses. As it approached us the door opened, 
and a fine-looking man, very richly dressed 
in black velvet trimmed with gold lace, and car- 
rying carelessly under his arm a handsome sword 
with a jeweled hilt, stepped to the ground and 
came forward to meet us. His eyes were black, 
but his hair slightly gray. 

My dear Prince,” said he, how kind of 
you to come and visit me so informally!” 

To my surprise, he knelt down gracefully, 
and kissed the hand of my companion. Evi- 
dently,” thought I, “ Uno must be a very im- 
portant personage, when even this king stoops 
to kiss his hand.” 

The Prince raised him to his feet, and em- 
braced him affectionately, saying, ” Arise, my 
dear Leo ; we have only come to make a short 


74 


PRINCE UNO 


call, as my Uncle Frank, here, desires to make 
your acquaintance and to see your beautiful 
city.” 

” Any member of your royal family is most 
welcome,” said the King, turning to me and 
extending his hand cordially. “ We will do our 
best to see that he enjoys himself. But you 
must both be tired walking; let me assist you 
to the carriage.” 

The Prince turned to me, and motioned for 
me to enter. I did so. Both he and the King 
followed. ■ No sooner were we seated than the 
King nodded to the officer in command, and the 
procession started. The band, a very fine one, 
struck up a lively march, and it seemed to me 
I had never heard better music. It was amus- 
ing, however, to observe the musicians. They 
had small brass horns, precisely like those of 
the larger bands to which I had been accus- 
tomed ; and as they played upon their instru- 
ments, they puffed out their rosy cheeks until 
their eyes seemed starting out of their heads. 
The bass-drum was no larger than a small pill- 
box, and the fife no bigger than a pin. 

The streets were full of people, all anxious to 
see the Prince, who was evidently a great 
favorite. They frequently cheered him lustily, 
and pressed so closely at times upon the carriage 
that the little policemen had hard work to make 
room for us. Uno bowed pleasantly right and 
left. I did the same. 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


76 


I observed that, while the Prince joked freely 
and sociably with me when we were alone to- 
gether, in the presence of the King he was very 
dignified. I was discreet enough to treat him 
with as much respect as I saw every one else 
did. 

We rode through the principal business street. 
The small stores, with their goods displayed for 
sale, and numerous signs to attract the attention 
of the public, were very interesting to me. In 
several of the cross-streets I saw railroad tracks 
and small horse-cars. 

At last the carriage drew up in front of the 
palace, and the procession stopped. The soldiers 
formed quickly into line, holding their guns 
respectfully before them, and King Leo stepped 
out. He invited us to enter the palace. As 
we reached the top of the steps, he turned for 
a moment to say a few words to the people. 
They were all attention. 

“ My dear citizens,” said he, our good friend. 
Prince Uno, with an esteemed relative of his, 
has come to visit our city quite informally. In 
his walks about the town he naturally does not 
wish to attract attention, or to be surrounded 
with crowds of people. Since it is his royal 
pleasure to move about among us for the time 
as a private citizen, I feel certain that you will 
accord him that privilege, and see that he is 
not annoyed.” 

They removed their hats immediately, and 


76 


PRINCE UNO 



after giving three enthu- 
siastic cheers for Prince 
Uno and the King, were 
soon on the way to their 
homes, having dispersed 
in the most orderly man- 
ner. I was much im- 
pressed with their deco- 
rous behavior, and with 
the splendid discipline 
which seemed to prevail 
throughout the entire 
city. 

We now turned to enter 
the palace, and were met 
at the door by the Queen, 
to whom I was present- 
ed by Prince Uno. She 
was a handsome middle- 
aged lady, who had most 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


77 


agreeable manners, and gave us a hearty wel- 
come. 

My dear Prince,” said she, holding out both 
little hands to him, how more than glad I am 
to see you! — and your friend also,” she added 
graciously, bowing to me. “ And how is that 
loveliest of women, the Princess Ino?” 

“ She is quite well, my dear Queen, and 
would have come with us had she known of 
our trip. The fact is. Uncle Frank was very 
eager to see your city, and I, knowing the time 
required by you ladies to prepare for even so 
short a journey, hesitated to detain him while 
that ' loveliest of women ’ completed her toilet. 
So we came away without letting her know 
anything about it. I suppose I will receive a 
scolding when I return.” 

“You are not a properly managed and dis- 
ciplined husband,” said the Queen, archly. 
“ Leo would not have dared do such a thing. 
I must give the Princess a hint or two. But 
come in, you two runaways, and see our baby. 
You have not yet seen him, my dear Prince, 
and he is such a fine fellow, and to be named 
for you, too,” she added, turning to him. “ You 
surely would not miss seeing your namesake! ” 

“ I certainly would not miss paying my re- 
spects to his Royal Highness,” said the Prince, 
laughing; “so we will ask for an audience 
without delay.” 

As the Queen led the way, I had a better 
opportunity to observe her graceful form. The 


78 


PRINCE UNO 


charming mother was not over three inches tall. 
“ What must the baby be? ” thought I. 

She requested us to take chairs in the parlor 
while she ran up-stairs for it. 

The room in which we now found ourselves 
was a handsome apartment with frescoed ceiling. 
The walls were almost covered with elegant 
pictures, many of which, I was informed by the 
Prince, had been painted by the Queen herself, 
who was quite an artist. Indeed, I was delighted 
with her handiwork. Adjoining the parlor was 
the library, well stored with handsome books, 
and provided with easy-chairs and a cheerful 
fireplace. I am certain I could not have read 
the print of the books if my eyes had not been 
exceedingly good. On the parlor mantel were 
some exquisite bronzes. They were not larger 
than the charms on my watch-chain at home. 
Indeed, I would have been delighted to have 
had one or two for that purpose. 

While examining them the Queen returned. 
I shall never forget so long as I live the cunning 
wee baby she brought to show to us. It was 
dressed in long skirts, and all of its clothes were 
handsomely embroidered — by the Queen’s own 
hand, as I was informed. The sleeves were 
caught up at the shoulders with small blue 
ribbons. Its head was not larger, I am sure, 
than a small pea, and yet its eyes were open, 
and it stared at us with them as if it had known 
us before, and was trying to recall when and 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


79 



where it had seen us. I asked to be permitted 
to hold it in my arms for a moment, but no 
sooner had I received it from her Majesty, the 
Queen-mother, than it commenced to cry, and 
I was obliged to return it to her. How small 
its tiny hands were ! It opened and shut them, 
however, moving the wee little fingers just as I 
have seen larger babies do. Small as the fingers 
were, what was my surprise to see on one of 
them a gold ring! It was such a tiny ring that 
I am sure it would have been difficult to slip it 
over a pin I The baby soon grew tired of being 
exhibited, and showed its displeasure by doub- 
ling its little hands up into fists, and rubbing 
its eyes vigorously until it commenced to cry. 
The nurse, who had been standing near at hand. 


80 


PRINCE UNO 


dressed in white apron and cap, then took it 
up-stairs to the nursery. We could hear it 
crying there for some time afterward, notwith- 
standing its proud mother had just claimed for 
it that it was “ the very best baby in the world, 
and never gave any trouble.” 

The King, who had not entered the parlor 
with us, owing to some business matters to 
which he was obliged to attend, now made his 
appearance at the door. Prince Uno, turning 
to the Queen, said, “ We must now ask your 
Majesty to excuse us for an hour or two, as we 
wish to make a tour of the city for Uncle 
Frank’s benefit, and have little time to spare.” 

” I will not detain you longer,” said the 
Queen. ” I feel highly honored by your visit. 
Do not fail to call before you return home, 
however.” 

The Prince assured her that he would not, and, 
bowing politely, we took our leave, accompanied 
by the King, whose carriage was waiting for 
us. 

Uno, who always seemed to know my wishes 
before I expressed them, said, '' I think we will 
not make use of your carriage, my dear Leo. 
Uncle Frank wishes to enter the stores to make 
some purchases, and desires to visit some of the 
manufactories, as well as the steamers in the 
river, and we would have to be continually 
getting in and out of the carriage if we rode.” 

“Just as you prefer,” said the King; “but 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


81 


permit me to go with you, as my acquaintance 
with the city will be of some service to you. I 
will not dismiss the carriage, however, as after 
you have finished your tour of the city, I should 
like to have you visit our coal-mine, some three 
miles from here. I feel certain it will interest 
you, and besides, my dear Prince, I need your 
advice about the management of it. It has of 
late become so dangerous that every month 
some of my poor miners are killed in it.” 

We replied that we should be very glad to 
have his company and assistance, and to visit 
his mine. . We were soon walking, three abreast, 
down the street, slowly followed by the carriage, 
which kept us in sight. 

You may be sure I used my eyes to good 
advantage, and saw all that was to be seen. I 
observed that the street was paved with small 
blocks of stone, and was a most excellent road- 
way. The sidewalks were smooth and wide, 
and the stores and other buildings were in all 
respects like those I had seen of larger size, 
although more neatly finished and more per- 
fectly constructed. The majority were built of 
bricks, which were about the size of grains of 
corn. One very large building was being 
erected at the time of our visit. The cellar had 
been dug, and a pile of bricks and some small 
barrels of lime, about as large as thimbles, were 
lying in the street. 

We had walked past several blocks of stores 


82 


PRINCE UNO 


when I decided to enter one. It was a dry- 
goods store. The shelves were filled with at- 
tractive goods, and behind the counter stood 
little salesmen, selling silks and cloths which 
were not wider than narrow ribbons. After 
making one or two purchases, we entered a 
grocery store, where I was much interested in 
the size of the articles kept for sale as compared 
with those of like kind at home. Pumpkins 
were no larger than apples, while apples were 
no bigger than huckleberries. I should have 




THE LEAF RIDERS 


83 


been pleased to take with me, as a curiosity, 
the small pair of scales on the counter. After 
leaving this store, a short walk brought us to 
the post-office of the city. It was amusing to 
see the people waiting to get the small letters 
which the postmaster handed out to them 
through the window, which was itself no larger 
than one of our postage-stamps. Next to the 
post-office was a hardware store, and in we 
went. I requested the clerk behind the counter 
to show me some pocket-knives. I desired 
some six-bladed ones. He displayed a number 
of different kinds for me to examine. They 
were about as large as grains of wheat, though 
perhaps not quite so thick, and perfect in every 
respect. I was so delighted with them that I 
bought a dozen to take back with me as curiosi- 
ties, to the evident satisfaction of the small 
storekeeper. The King would not let me pay 
for them, but insisted on their being charged 
to his account. I protested, but it was of no 
use. 

We next came to a bank, and I could see the 
clerks, with tiny pens behind their ears, bustling 
about, some of them counting out money, and 
others making entries in the books. There was 
an iron safe in which to lock up the money and 
the books. I was informed that this safe was 
necessary only as a protection against fire. I 
was gratified to learn that it was entirely un- 
necessary so far as thieves were concerned. 


84 


PRINCE UNO 


All people in this happy land were honest. 
There was no one capable of telling a falsehood, 
or of taking anything which did not belong to 
him. 

The next place of interest was a barber’s shop. 
I stood at the door and looked in without enter- 
ing. Several gentlemen were sitting in small 
chairs, being shaved. One of the barbers was 
cutting a little boy’s hair. If the scissors had 
been as large as those used at home, one careless 
clip of the shears would have cut the boy’s head 
off. 

After leaving the barber’s shop we came to a 
drug-store with tiny red and blue bottles in the 
window. “ They have very fine soda-water in 
this store,” said the King, and I wish you both 
to try a glass with me.” We were soon stand- 
ing in front of the fountain, which was a beautiful 
affair of white marble with silver faucets. I took 
lemon, the Prince sarsaparilla, and the King 
raspberry. Such little tumblers, all foaming 
and running over, as we held to our mouths! 
It was exceedingly refreshing — the very best 
soda I ever drank. The King paid for it, and 
we went out. 

A short walk brought us to a small building 
which greatly interested me. It was a school- 
house. As we entered the door I could see the 
little scholars sitting on the benches. They 
were very small children, not over an inch long. 
In other respects, however, they looked and 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


85 


behaved very much the same as I had seen 
larger children behave in schools at home. I 
observed one boy, for instance, while the atten- 
tion of the teacher was directed to us, take ad- 
vantage of the opportunity to snatch a hasty 
bite from a tiny apple which he had concealed 
in his desk. The teacher was a determined- 
looking little woman wearing spectacles. To 
my surprise, she was at the time of our entrance 
deliberately putting some small boys into a bag. 
The bag, quite a large one, was soon full, and I 
could not resist the temptation to inquire the 
reason for so strange a proceeding. “ It is 
my plan of whipping impartially,” she replied. 
” These boys have none of them learned their 
lesson ; and that I may not be accused of whip- 
ping one more severely than another, I place 
them all in this bag, give the bag a good shak- 
ing, thus ” (and she suited the action to the 
word), to mix them up well, and proceed to 
whip the bag soundly.” And she did so thor- 
oughly, while we looked on. From the noises 
which issued from the bag, I could not doubt 
that the boys were very impartially and soundly 
whipped. As she took them out one by one 
they seemed much improved, and evidently 
had no fault to find with her fairness. Indeed, 
as they walked to their seats I observed that 
their faces were entirely free from those expres- 
sions of dissatisfaction so common to whipped 
scholars of larger schools. I was much edified 


86 


PRINCE UNO 


and impressed with this system of punishment, 
and expressed my approbation of it. 

Oh, it is the only way to manage a school 
without being utterly worn out with complaints 
from both scholars and parents,” said the ener- 
getic little woman. I have had no difficulty 
since I adopted the bag plan. It leaves no room 
for complaint, if one only shakes the bag thor- 
oughly. I think of taking out a patent for it.” 

We thanked her for her explanation, and, 
bidding her good day, left the school. 

“ I should like to have you examine a new 
and very large sawmill which is near at hand,” 
said the King. 

I expressed my desire to see it. We were 
not long in reaching it. The building was pos- 
sibly as large as a dry-goods box. As we 
entered the door the saws were at work upon 
logs which I should think were about as large 
as sticks of peppermint candy. The little work- 
men had hard work handling them. The saws 
were very sharp. Those of a circular form were 
about the size of silver dollars. When the 
engine was started, they were not long in turn- 
ing a good-sized log into very nice little boards. 

After spending a few minutes in the sawmill 
we visited a large cloth-mill, in which were 
hundreds of small looms weaving beautiful cloth 
of various colors. In one corner of the mill 
were some looms of very intricate workmanship, 
which, I was informed, were used for manufac- 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


87 



turing fish-nets. The 
threads of these nets 
were so fine that they 
were invisible; indeed, 

I should have supposed 
the machine to be running upon air, instead of 
upon a fabric, if I had not been requested by 
the foreman of the mill to feel of the fish-net as 
it issued from the loom. To my astonishment, 
I could easily feel the meshes, and discovered 
that the nets themselves were very strong and 
might easily hold the largest fish. How easy,” 
thought I, “ must it be to catch fish in nets 
which they cannot see!” 

As we left this interesting mill I found that 
we were very near to the river on which I had 


88 


PRINCE UNO 


seen ships. The King proposed that we should 
go on board of one of his war- vessels, and also 
upon one of his large ocean steamers. I was 
very glad to accept his invitation. A few steps 
brought us to the wharf. The King signaled 
to the Captain of a large man-of-war, which 
was lying at anchor some distance from the 
shore. The Captain had been examining us 
intently through his glass, and evidently recog- 
nized the King, for we soon saw a boat lowered, 
into which some little sailors stepped quickly. 
They pulled lustily to the place where we were 
standing. As soon as it reached us we took 
our seats in the boat, which was, I should think, 
about the size of half a watermelon cut in two 
lengthwise. The oars were about the size of 
table-spoons. We were not long in reaching 
the side of the vessel. A cannon was fired in 



THE LEAF RIDERS 


89 


honor of our arrival. By means of a small rope- 
ladder we reached the deck, where we found 
the sailors and marines drawn up in line to re- 
ceive us. They were a hardy-looking set of 
fellows, dressed in blue flannel shirts with wide 
collars, and in trousers which were very tight 
around the waist and quite wide in the legs, 
just such as I had seen sailors wear at home. 

The Captain and other officers received us 
with great respect, and took pains to explain 
everything to my satisfaction. The ropes of 



90 


PRINCE UNO 


as the toy cannon with which I had seen boys 
play at home. They were effective, however, 
even at long distances. I was informed that 
the gunpowder, manufactured under King Leo’s 
personal supervision, was a remarkably good 
article. After a thorough inspection of this 
interesting vessel we again entered the boat, 
and, having taken leave of the Captain, were 
rowed by the sailors to the side of a steamship 
built to carry passengers across the ocean — 
probably to some little Europe which the people 
of Weeboro visited. 

We were received on the deck of this vessel 
by her Captain with scarcely less ceremony than 
had been observed on the man-of-war. It was 
claimed that she was the fastest vessel afloat. 
We found her very handsomely fitted up, and 
quite a contrast in this respect to the vessel 
we had just left, which had been constructed 
rather for strength than beauty. At the request 
of the King, the Captain had the engines 
started for a short trial trip, having first ordered 
the lines cast off by which she had been made 
fast to the wharf. The engine itself was a 
miracle to behold. It was kept in splendid 
order by its proud little engineer, and it was 
fascinating to see it in motion. The Captain 
rang a bell, the Pilot sounded the whistle, and 
we were soon making good speed through the 
water. We had not proceeded more than a 
hundred feet from the dock when we observed 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


91 


a carriage driven furiously to the 
wharf. It contained some passen- 
gers who supposed that they were 
too late to catch the steamer and 
that she was starting on her regu- 
lar trip. They were greatly ex- 
cited as they stepped out of the 
carriage, and, waving their little 
tickets, called to the Captain to 
take them on board. The Cap- 
tain smiled at their worry, but did 
not, of course, stop the vessel to 
return for them. I was greatly 
amused to see one of the gentlemen evidently 
scolding the driver of the carriage for not hav- 
ing made better time. 

After a pleasant ride of a few miles, during 
which the Captain invited us to go below and 
take some refreshments in the cabin, which was 
very elegantly fitted up in hard woods, the bow 
of the vessel was turned toward the wharf. We 
were not long in reaching the dock, to which the 
vessel was made fast. A small gang-plank was 
run out, and after thanking the Captain for his 
courtesy, we walked ashore. Here we found 
the little passengers waiting, very much relieved 
to discover that, after all, they had not been left 
behind. 

The King now suggested that we visit his 
coal-mine. His carriage had been waiting for 
us, and its white horses were tossing their heads 



92 


PRINCE UNO 


and shaking their long silken manes, impatient 
to start. We took our seats, the driver climbed 
to his box, the footman closed the door and took 
his station behind, and with a crack of the whip, 
which was entirely unnecessary for such spirited 
little animals, we were soon rolling along in the 
direction of the coal-mine. At such a rattling 
pace the city was quickly left behind, and I was 
soon greatly enjoying the fresh country air. 

In the midst of a large field I observed some 
small frame buildings, which, I was informed, 
contained the machinery for working the mines. 
We left the roadway, and driving through a 
wide gate, alighted from the carriage, and were 
received by the Superintendent of the mine. 
There were little piles of coal around its mouth. 
A wheel with a long rope, which hung down 
into a deep black hole, showed me where the 
miners went underground to work. While we 
were observing it the wheel commenced to turn 
and the rope to come up out of the hole. Soon 
a large wooden bucket, in which were standing 
two of the miners with little black faces and 
small lamps in their hats, came in sight. As 
the bucket reached the level of the ground they 
stepped out of it, and, seeing the King, took 
their hats off and extinguished their lamps. 

The King stepped up to them and said, 
“ Well, my good men, how does the good work 
go on? ” 

Very poorly, your Majesty,” replied one of 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


93 







them. It is 
growing more 
dangerous every 
day. If it were 
not that people 

must have coal, I, for one, would never go 
down again. 

“ I sometimes think,'’ said the King, turning 
to us, '' that I will close this mine and not let 
my poor fellows go down in it any more. Every 
month or two there is a fearful accident, and 
numbers of them are killed. But what am I to 
do? As the man says, people must have coal.” 

I wondered how deep the mine could be, I 
asked the King. 


94 


PRINCE UNO 


About one hundred feet,” he replied. 

“ One hundred of their little feet ; that is not 
very deep,” thought 1. ” If I were only of my 

full size now, and had my large pocket-knife 
with me, I could dig up the whole mine in a few 
minutes and uncover their deposit of coal for 
them ; but here I am, a miserable, weak little 
creature who can do nothing.” 

A happy thought occurred to me. Why not 
get the Prince to change me to my full size just 
for a few minutes? I feared it would frighten 
the little people out of their senses ; but, then, 
so much good was to be accomplished, and King 
Leo himself seemed so brave and intelligent, 
that it did not seem possible he would be 
alarmed. I asked him to excuse me while I 
whispered to Prince Uno. The latter listened 
to me attentively, but shook his head. “ It 
would never do,” said he. “ I am afraid to try 
it.” After a moment’s reflection, however, he 
smiled and said : “ I am not altogether sure 
about it, either. It would be a good joke, and 
rather a practical one, too. I do not like prac- 
tical jokes as a rule, but this one seems so 
eminently practical that I believe we will try it. 
We will endeavor to prepare the King for your 
change of character.” 

I undertook the task, and inquired of Leo how 
large were the very largest people he had ever 
seen. 

‘‘ Well,” he replied, “ there is at present a 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


95 


circus in town which has a giant twice as tall as 
I am.” And he drew himself proudly up to his 
full height. “ I have heard, however,” he con- 
tinued, ” that there are men in the world up- 
stairs who are all of them giants, and who could 
eat their meals off of the top of that building 
while standing on the ground beside it.” And 
he pointed to a shed about the size of a bureau. 
” But the story is so ridiculous that I never be- 
lieved it.” 

It was plain that he had no idea how large 
ordinary men were, and that I must approach 
my purpose very carefully. 

”Yc5ur Majesty is a brave man,” I began, 
“ and could not, I am sure, be frightened by 
anything, not even at the sight of a man as tall 
as that mountain.” I pointed to the very one 
behind which I had been standing that after- 
noon. 

” Well, I should not want to be too near such 
a man,” said the little fellow, ” for fear he might 
step on me.” 

” But suppose I should tell you that I was at 
times nearly as tall as that mountain, what 
then?” 

” I should say you were telling a story,” said 
he, smiling. 

But,” I continued, laughing, ” if Prince Uno 
here, who possesses wonderful powers, should 
change me into a man of that size, and I should 
while possessing the strength dig up your entire 


96 


PRINCE UNO 


coal-mine for you, would you not be willing to 
have Prince Uno make the experiment?” 

The King evidently was inclined to think that 
I was wasting time and trifling with a man of 
his intelligence. Prince Uno, with a smile of 
good nature, came to my assistance. 

“ My dear King,” said he, '' Uncle Frank is 
not joking, I assure you, but is in sober earnest. 
He is, in fact, one of the large giant people up- 
stairs of whom you have heard, and is, when of 
his natural size, quite as large as he says. He 
could easily uncover your whole mine for you 
in a few minutes. I can change him to his own 
great size, if you are willing, as easily as I 
changed him to his present size in order that 
he might visit you. He will be only too glad 
to help you, and you will find him a valuable 
and powerful friend.” 

The King seemed astounded and perplexed. 

My dear Prince,” said he, '' I can believe any- 
thing you tell me, even though it be so incred- 
ible as this. I cheerfully consent to your mak- 
ing this change, for the sake of the great good 
it will accomplish.” 

He regarded me attentively. Prince Uno 
handed me a powder, which I swallowed. I com- 
menced to lengthen out, and to go up, up, up, 
above the Prince and the King, above the shed, 
above the very tallest building, almost to the 
height of the mountain itself. Notwithstanding 
his preparation for the change, the King turned 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


97 


slightly pale ; but Prince Uno, with a reassuring 
smile, said, “ There is no danger, my dear Leo ; 
you have no idea what a good-natured giant 
he is.” 

“The horses! the horses!” exclaimed the 
King. We had forgotten the little animals. 
Frightened at the terrible giant who had so 
suddenly grown up beside them, they were 
running away toward the city at the top of their 
speed, dragging the beautiful carriage after them 
so rapidly that its wheels scarcely touched the 
ground. The poor little driver and footman 
were scarcely less frightened than the horses, 
and could do nothing to stop them. 

“ They will kill themselves and break my 
carriage,” cried the King, wringing his hands, 
“and do so much damage in the city!” He 
seemed to forget his fear of me in his appre- 
hension for the consequences to others. 

I realized the danger and that I must catch 
the frightened little animals before doing any- 
thing else. Notwithstanding their speed, ow- 
ing to which they had already made consider- 
able progress, it took but three of my long 
steps to overtake them. I caught them securely 
in my great hands, holding them as easily as I 
would a couple of good-sized rats. How they 
kicked against my sturdy fingers to get free! 
I patted them gently with one hand while hold- 
ing them with the other, and brought them back, 
carriage and all, to the King. They were now 


98 


PRINCE UNO 


SO thoroughly frightened that they did not dare 
to run, and after I had secured them by their 
halters to a post of the fence, they stood quietly, 
although trembling in every limb, turning to 
look at me from time to time with a most ludi- 
crous expression of fear and astonishment. 

We had been so occupied with the horses 
that we had forgotten the two little miners who 
had come up out of the mine. With faces pale 
with fright and hair standing up straight all over 
their little heads, they gave a loud cry as I 
turned toward them from my task of securing 
the horses, and started at 



THE LEAF RIDERS 


99 


and the Prince, who were both greatly amused. 
The King himself had by this time entirely re- 
covered from his fright, and seemed to enjoy 
the novelty of having so powerful a friend as I 
now proved myself to be. 

“ If you will now call up the other miners 
from below, my dear King, I will commence 
my task,” said I. 

He did so. No sooner were they fairly above 
ground than they too, after taking one look at 
my huge form, started for the city as fast as 
their little legs could carry them. The King 
was now thoroughly amused, and actually grew 
red in the face with laughter. 

When the men were out of the mine I took my 
knife out of my pocket. It had always been 
an unusually large one, and was, like myself, 
grown to its full size. Kneeling down by the 
mine, I scraped out a large and deep hole, and 
was not long in reaching the coal. It was a 
large lump, about as thick as a bureau, and ex- 
tended to a great distance under the ground. 
In one corner of it was a hole, out of which the 
miners had dug their coal for several years. I 
cleared the earth carefully away, so as to leave 
the entire end of the vein uncovered and in full 
sight. The little fellows could now break it off 
easily and without danger. The King was de- 
lighted. 

Am I dreaming,” he asked, or awake and 
in full possession of my eyesight?” 


100 


PRINCE UNO 


“ Awake,” said the Prince, “ and under many 
obligations to Uncle Frank.” 

“ Indeed I am,” said the grateful monarch ; 

I cannot thank him enough. How can I ever 
repay you ? ” said he, turning to me. 

By never alluding to it again, my dear King. 
What I have done is a mere trifle, and you are 
very welcome.” 

A mere trifle!” he repeated, looking 
thoughtfully at the work I had performed and 
the coal which I had uncovered for him. 

It must have seemed an Herculean task to 
him, after all. 

It was now time for us to return. I decided 
to walk, as I could easily keep up with the 
King’s carriage. The horses no longer showed 
a disposition to run away, probably realizing that 
it would be useless to try. The King and the 
Prince suggested that it would be best for them 
to go first and prepare the little people for my 
coming, as we should doubtless find them ex- 
cited by the stories told them by the miners 
who had preceded us. 

The suggestion proved a wise one, as they 
found the city in a great state of excitement. 
The miners had told the people that they had 
no doubt that the King and the Prince had both 
been killed by the “ Mountain Man,” as they 
were pleased to call me. 

With the thoughtfulness of a good husband, 
Leo drove directly to the palace to relieve the 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


101 


fears of the Queen. He then returned on 
horseback to meet me, followed by crowds of 
people, who were very desirous to see me as 
soon as they found there was no danger. I had 
the pleasure of meeting them on the road. Not- 
withstanding their preparation, they no sooner 
caught sight of me than it required all the as- 
surances of the King to keep them from running 

back to the city. 
He permitted 
me to lift him, 
horse, saddle, 
and all, in one 
of my great 
hands, from the 
ground to the 
level of my 
face, where 
he sat calm- 
ly erect, like 
a beautiful 
equestrian sta- 
tue. This act 
of confidence 
on his part probably did more than all his ar- 
guments to quiet the fears of his subjects. When 
I returned him safely to the earth on his little 
charger, they were thoroughly reassured as to 
my good nature, and we all entered the city to- 
gether. 

The Queen was, of course, astonished to see 



102 PRINCE UNO 


me. Great was 
her amazement 
when I induced 
ten or twelve of 
the bravest offi- 
cers of the army 
to step upon my 
open hand, and 
lifted them with- 
out difficulty, as 
upon a great plat- 
form, to a level 
with the roof of 
the palace itself, 
after which I re- 
turned them safe- 
ly to the ground. 
Prince Uno now 
reminded me that 
it was growing 
late and high time 
that we should 
be setting out for 
home. So I bade 
them good-by. I 
had to speak al- 
most in a whisper, 
as my great voice 
was deafening to 
the little folk, and 
my breath so 
much like a whirl- 




THE LEAF RIDERS 


103 


wind that it blew off the hats of several officers 
toward whom I happened to be looking when I 
spoke. I lifted the Prince to my shoulder and 
started for the river, King Leo having first made 
me promise faithfully that I would return and 
make him another visit. 

“What is his name, Prince Uno? What is 
his name?” called out the little people, as I 
moved off. 

“Donkey!” shouted the Prince, laughing 
immoderately. He turned his head to conceal 
his merriment, and kicked me in the side with 
his foot. “ Call him Donkey.” 

We were soon at the bridge, and here a new 
difficulty presented itself. It was plain that I 
could not, with safety to the structure, cross it. 
My immense weight would have crushed it. 

“ I will change you,” said the Prince, “ if you 
will put me down.” 

“No, you need not; I will wade the river,” 
said I. 

The Prince seemed pleased with the idea, and 
laughed. “ Your legs are long enough to wade 
an ocean,” said he. 

I sat down on the bank of the stream, and 
took off my shoes and stockings, rolling my 
trousers up above my knees. Then placing 
my stockings inside of my shoes, and taking my 
shoes in one of my hands, I arose. The Prince 
kept his place on my shoulder during the whole 
performance. I now stepped into the water. 

I think all the people of the city were by this 


104 


PRINCE UNO 


time assembled on the bank to see me cross. 
The river was not so deep as I supposed, and in 
its deepest portion did not come quite to my 
knees. We were, therefore, soon safely over, 
and, waving an adieu to our little friends on the 
bank we had left, I put on my stockings and 
shoes and started for the fairy palace. At its 
door I was made small again by the Prince, and 
we entered, warmly welcomed by the Princess 
Ino, who seemed glad to see us. 

She had been waiting tea for us, and we sat 
down to it, quite hungry. The little lady her- 
self presided gracefully at the head of the table, 
and poured out our tea with her own hands. 
It was delicious and refreshing. We had some 
slices of buttered toast about as big as pepper- 
mint lozenges, and some hot muffins. 

After the meal was over, the Prince asked me 
to excuse him for an hour or two, as he had 
some matters of importance which required 
his attention, adding that the Princess would 
entertain me until his return. The Princess 
then invited me into the library, a cozy little 
room, and motioning me to a pleasant, easy 
chair, she seated herself on a little tufted sofa 
just in front of me. 

I am very glad to have this opportunity. 
Uncle Frank,” she began at once, “ of speaking 
to you alone and confidentially about my dear 
Uno. He feels the loss of our darling boy so 
deeply that I am worried about him — sometimes 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


105 



SO much SO that I lie awake half the night. You 
must not let him know a word of this, but give 
me your best advice.” 

I remembered what Uno himself had told 
me, that very afternoon, as to worrying about 
his lovely wife. Here is a pretty state of 
things,” thought I. He is worrying about 
her, and she about him. This comes of husband 
and wife not talking freely together. If they 
only had compared notes they would have dis- 
covered that about three fourths of their anx- 
iety was unnecessary.” I determined to set 
them right, and said : '' My dear Princess, I am 
glad you have taken me into your confidence, 


106 


PRINCE UNO 


for I now have a pair of secrets, and I propose 
to get rid of both of them by telling yours to 
Uno and his to you. I think you will both 
thank me for the breach of confidence. Now it 
happens that on this very afternoon our dear 
Uno said to me, in strict confidence, that he was 
worrying about his charming wife — worrying so 
much that it was wearing him out. This even- 
ing his charming wife tells me that she is wor- 
rying about him — worrying so much that she 
lies awake at night. Do you not think that you 
and Uno would do well to compare notes, have 
a plain understanding, and stop worrying about 
each other? ” 

Is the dear fellow worrying about me ? ” she 
asked, much surprised. I should never have 
suspected it.” 

** No,” I answered ; the dear fellow conceals 
his anxiety from you with the same unselfish- 
ness which has led you to conceal yours from 
him. Take my advice, my dear Princess, and 
let Uno see that he is a cause of anxiety to you ; 
have an understanding at once.” 

I will this very evening,” said she. This 
comes from having so wise a friend to consult 
as Uncle Frank. And now, my dear Uncle 
Frank, I must ask your advice about the 
search for my darling boy. Oh, I have so 
long wanted a friend with whom I could advise 
and to whom I could speak freely!” she said 
earnestly. 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


lot 

And have overlooked that best of all friends, 
your husband,” I replied. 

“Yes; it was because I felt the subject was 
such a painful one to him.” 

“ More painful to him, dear Princess, because 
he dared not speak of it to you. He speaks 
freely and manfully about it with me. How 
can I serve you ? ” 

“ Oh, in every way,” she answered eagerly. 
“ By helping me to look for my boy. You 
can do so much ! ” 

“ Then rely upon it, my dear Princess, I will 
do all that I can. Now, be it known to you, I 
have been searching for him for some time, and 
I am most glad to find that I can speak freely 
to you about it, for you can 
aid me very much. First of 
all, have you a picture of the 
little fellow which you can let 
me see, so that I can recognize 
him when I find him? ” 

“ Oh, how my poor heart re- 
joices to hear you talk so con- 
fidently about finding him!” 
she exclaimed. “ I have a picture of 
ft him with me always.” 

% She drew from her bosom a tiny gold 
m locket, and, opening it, handed 

- it to me. It was the portrait 
of a beautiful boy, with high 
forehead, long golden curls. 



108 


PRINCE UNO 


blue eyes, and a pleasant, smiling face, very 
much like his father’s. 

How like my splendid Prince ! ” I exclaimed. 

“ Oh, Uncle Frank, he is like his noble father, 
not only in looks, but in everything, so brave 
and gentle.” 

” I cannot doubt it,” I replied. I see it in 
every feature. I can well understand why you 
are so proud of him. It makes my heart ache 
to think in what unkind hands he may be now. 
The beautiful curls, which you took so much 
trouble to arrange so carefully, are neglected 
now, I warrant me ! If we could only be sure 
that those who have the sweet little fellov/ are 
kind to him, how much easier it would be to 
bear! How old was he, dear Princess? ” 

There was no answer. I looked to see why 
she was silent. The beautiful head was bowed 
down, and the face covered with the tiny white 
hands, while between the delicate fingers were 
falling slowly, one by one, the bitter, bitter tears 
of a mother’s love and sorrow. Oh, how I 
reproached myself for my senseless, thoughtless 
words! I had trampled ruthlessly upon the 
feelings of this poor little broken-hearted mo- 
ther, and I could have torn my tongue out by 
the roots, in my self-reproach. I threw myself 
on my knees before her. '' Dearest Princess, 
forgive, oh, forgive my thoughtless words. Only 
look up and say you forgive and forget them, 
and I promise to spend my entire lifetime in 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


109 


looking for your boy. Believe me, there is 
hope.” She sobbed convulsively. “ It was 
only yesterday,” I continued earnestly, ” I was 
looking for him, and by morning I will be again 
at work. I promise you to leave nothing un- 
done until I place your brave boy once more in 
your arms. Only say you forgive me!” 

” I have nothing to forgive you for. Uncle 
Frank. You are most kind to me, and I ap- 
preciate it all, I do assure you ; but I am such 
a poor, weak, heartbroken little woman that I 
cannot help giving way at times. I thought I 
could bring myself to talk calmly and deliber- 
ately with you, in the hope of finding my boy, 
but I overestimated my strength. Do not dis- 
tress yourself, I pray, on my account. It was 
not so much what you said, but because it was so 
exactly like what I myself am always thinking, 
and your words reminded me of my own bitter 
thoughts and fears.” 

” Then dismiss such thoughts and fears, my 
dear Princess, for there is every reason for hope. 
Indeed, something tells me I shall find your boy 
before many days have passed over your beau- 
tiful head, and I would be willing to spend a 
lifetime in such a search, if years instead of days 
were necessary to restore him to you.” 

If I had had twenty lives to spend in such a 
task I would have been repaid for them all by 
the grateful look which the little woman gave 
me. Under my encouraging and hopeful words 











THE LEAF RIDERS 


111 


she soon regained her spirits, and was talking 
cheerfully and calmly when Prince Uno re- 
turned. 

I have been very busy and could not come 
before,” said he. “ I hope you have not missed 
me, and that you have had a pleasant evening.” 

“ We have missed you very much, and needed 
your counsel, my dear Uno,” said the Princess. 

Uncle Frank is looking for our darling boy, 
and I wish you had been here to talk with 
him.” 

Uno looked in surprise first at one of us and 
then at the other, as if he could hardly believe 
his senses or realize that we were actually con- 
versing on the forbidden subject. I understood 
his astonishment, and said: 'Wes; this anxious 
wife of yours, my dear Prince, has been worry- 
ing about you, it appears, and I have at last 
succeeded in convincing her that you yourself 
have been wasting a great deal of unnecessary 
anxiety on her. I now advise you both to stop 
worrying about each other and to come to an 
understanding this evening.” 

He seated himself by her side on the sofa, 
and taking her hand affectionately in his, said, 
" And have you really been worrying about me, 
Ino ? ” 

She smiled brightly. " More than you knew 
or dreamed, my precious husband ; and now I 
find that all the time you have been anxious 
about your foolish wife, and but for this good 


112 


PRINCE UNO 


Uncle Frank of ours we should probably never 
have understood each other.” 

It was plain to be seen that both were greatly 
relieved to discover that they could talk calmly 
and freely with each other about their great trou- 
ble and speak of my plans for finding their boy. 

“And what do you propose to do?” asked 
Uno. 

“ To begin my search early to-morrow morn- 
ing,” I replied. “ I do not wish to tell you my 
plans, except so far as it may be necessary. I 
will only say to you, do not worry any more 
than you can help. Hope for the best. It is 
now late, and we must not sit up any longer, 
so I will bid you good evening.” 

I rose to go, and proceeded to take my leave 
of the Princess. She held out her hand affec- 
tionately and gratefully. Prince Uno, rising, 
said, “ I will show you to your room.” 

I turned to him and asked, smiling, “ Am I 
to stay here all night, then?” 

“ I did not say all night, did I? ” he replied 
laughingly. “You are to go to sleep here.” 

It was evident that I was again to be moved 
in my sleep. I was not at all uneasy this time, 
however. It was, after all, a very pleasant and 
easy way of getting home — much pleasanter 
than walking through the gloomy woods and 
cold night air ; but I slyly resolved this time to 
keep awake and see how the fairies managed to 
move me. With this thought I turned again to 


THE LEAF RIDERS 


113 



bid the Princess good night. 

“ Good night, my brave little 
lady. Keep your hopes bright. 

Remember, I am, from this 
evening, to be continually at 
work for you, the most faith- 
ful and devoted servant you 
have ever had.” 

” Oh, thank you, dear, dear 
Uncle Frank; thank you ten thousand times. 
May you only be successful!” 

The Prince was waiting for me on the stairs. 
He conducted me to my room as before, bade 
me a pleasant good night, adding laughingly, 
as he closed the door, “You will be called at 
the proper time in the morning,” and was gone. 

“ Good night, my fine fellow,” I thought to 
myself. “ I will keep my eyes open this time ; 
you will not fool me again.” 

I was soon undressed and in the comfortable 
little bed. I was tired, and the bed was very 
soft and pleasant. I tried hard to keep my 
eyes open, but it seemed as if I had never felt 


114 


PRINCE UNO 


such a comfortable, easy, soothing bed before ; 
it made one close his eyes almost in spite of 
himself. I soon realized that I was gradually 
but surely going to sleep, notwithstanding all 
my efforts to keep awake; and before many 
minutes had passed I had forgotten the Prince, 
the Princess, the beautiful palace, the soft bed 
— everything. 

When I awoke I was in my own bed in my 
own room at home, and it was morning. The 
fairies had fooled me again. 



t 







As ever ye saw a bubble rise, 

And shine with a thousand changing dyes, 

Till, lessening far , through ether driven. 

It mingles with the hues of heaven.” 

The Culprit Fay. 



Ill 

THE BUBBLE RIDERS 

LAY in bed only long enough 
to collect my thoughts and re- 
call the events of the preceding 
day. I remembered the assur- 
ance I had given the Princess 
Ino to commence the search for 
her boy at once, and arose quickly and began 
to dress. 

I was surprised to find that the pockets of 
my trousers were filled with something so 
heavy and bulky that the cloth seemed about to 
burst. I examined them to see what the con- 
tents could be, and found a dozen very hand- 
117 





118 


PRINCE UNO 


some pocket-knives, almost as large as my own, 
but of much finer workmanship. Where could 
they have come from, I wondered! At last I 
remembered the little hardware store in Wee- 
boro, and that I had purchased a dozen of the 
knives for curiosities. They had evidently 
grown larger, like myself, when I was restored 
to my natural size by the fairies in the night. 
I regretted the change, but I found them in 
their present state so handsomely finished, and 
of such exquisite workmanship, that I was glad 
to possess them, and placed them in my bureau- 
drawer, retaining one for use. 

After I had eaten breakfast, I set out at once 
for the woods, for now the thought of finding 
the dear little boy was never out of my mind. 
I determined to find the lad who had seen what 
he thought was a bee flying through the air, 
carrying what I felt certain must have been the 
little fairy Prince. After a search of some hours, 
I discovered him sitting on an old log whittling 
a small stick. 

“Well,” I said, “have you found the tree?” 

He started at the sound of my voice, not 
having perceived me until I spoke. Upon rec- 
ognizing me, he jumped up quickly, and, to my 
delight, said, “Yes; come with me, and I will 
show it to you. Do you know,” he continued, 
“ I have heard a sound coming from the tree as 
if some one inside was crying?” 

You may be certain I was now very desirous 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


119 


to proceed at once to the place, and I followed 
him eagerly, over logs and through bushes and 
briers, for a great distance. At last, after a fa- 
tiguing walk of an hour, we came to a large 
tree surrounded by some very thick bushes. 

That is the tree, and there ’s the hole,” said 
the boy, pointing to a small, round hole, about 
as large as those in which squirrels live, and 
about five feet from the ground. 

” How long is it since you last heard the 
sound of some one crying in the tree?” I in- 
quired in a whisper. 

“Yesterday afternoon,” he replied. “I was 
standing right where we are now.” 

I listened with the closest attention, but 
could not hear a sound. Then, giving the boy 
some money as a reward for his discovery, I 
instructed him to go away and leave me alone 
to watch the tree, and not to speak to any one 
of what he had seen and heard. He seemed 
satisfied with his reward, and was soon out of 
sight and hearing. After his departure I con- 
cealed myself carefully in the bushes, having 
first crept as near to the tree as I thought it 
safe to do, in order to escape being seen by any 
one going to or coming from the hole. I now 
waited patiently and quietly to discover sound 
or sight of the object of my search. 

My thoughts naturally turned to all the 
events of the preceding day. I recalled Prince 
Uno’s sorrow when I first found him in the 


120 


PRINCE UNO 


woods, and all that he had told me of his long- 
lost boy ; then the visit to Weeboro ; and lastly 
the interview with the beautiful Princess, in her 
palace, the evening before. Could it be that in 
the tree which I was now watching was the 
bright little boy whose loss was such a trial to 
the otherwise happy couple? What would I 
not give, how many weary days and nights 
would I not gladly spend in watching this old 
tree, if I could be the means of restoring their 
little boy to them? I remembered all Prince 
Uno’s kindness to me; how forgetful of himself 
he had been, and how thoughtful of my plea- 
sure and happiness; how generously he had 
concealed all his troubles, in his endeavors to 
make my visits to Fairyland pleasant and en- 
joyable. “ The noble fellow shall not lose 
by his unselfishness,” said I to myself, for 
he has made me unselfish too, and I will 
spend my whole life, if necessary, in finding 
his boy.” 

An hour passed, and I had heard and seen 
nothing unusual. The birds were singing in the 
trees above me, and the bees were humming in 
the air around me, but nothing went to or came 
from the tree. Another hour passed, and still 
another. It was nearly noon. I was growing 
tired. Perhaps the boy was mistaken ; perhaps, 
after all, this was not the tree ; perhaps he had 
deceived me in order to get my money. The 
boy seemed honest and truthful, and I could 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


121 


not and would not believe this. I resolved to 
be patient and not abandon my post. 

Another hour passed. I was growing hun- 
gry and began to think of my dinner. Hark! 
Was there not a sound ? Did I hear wee small 
voices talking together and coming toward me, 
or was it only the humming of the bees? I lis- 
tened attentively and breathlessly, and was cer- 
tain I could hear voices, though I could see no 
one. One of the voices was peculiar and differ- 
ent from the other, for I could distinguish that 
there were two of them. It seemed as if the 
one who was speaking was now passing between 
me and the tree. This was what I heard. 

Uno himself 
never weeps, but 
his little wife 
does, and I am 
glad of it.” 

'‘Yes, he does, 
too,” said the 
other. ” I saw 
him weeping in 
these very woods 
yesterday morn- 
ing. Oh, he is 
brave and pow- 
erful, but he can- 
not find his 
boy I ” 

I was afraid to 



122 


PRINCE UNO 


breathe, lest they might see or hear me, and 
stop talking. 

“Oh, how I hate him!” said the one who 
had first spoken. “ I know he regrets the day 
he ever punished me.” 

I recalled what the Prince had told me about 
punishing the Wood-sprite, and I felt certain 
that that very sprite was standing within a few 
feet of me, though I could not see him. How 
exasperating 1 If I could only catch him, 
thought I, I would take him to the Prince, and 
tell him I had heard the villain confess. To 
attempt to seize him without seeing him would 
result only in my catching a handful of air, and 
in letting him know that I had discovered the 
tree. I felt certain that he would then, so soon 
as I had gone, move the little Prince to some 
other place of concealment, where I could never 
find him. I resolved to wait patiently, and 
hear all that I could, and then get Uno to help 
me. 

“We must take the boy away from here,” 
said the Wood-sprite. “ The fairies have of late 
been coming to these woods every day, and 
they may find him.” 

“When shall we move him?” inquired the 
other. 

“ I shall be busy for the rest of this week, 
and cannot attend to it,” said the first. “ Be 
here exactly at four o’clock in the afternoon one 
week from to-day, and I will meet you.” 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


123 


I listened attentively, but they did not speak 
again. Finally I heard them coming from the 
tree ; they had apparently been inside while 
I was waiting. After conversing a moment 
longer, but in a tone so low that I could not 
distinguish their words, they passed softly, 
almost silently, by me, going down the hill. 

As soon as I felt sure they were out of sight 
and hearing, I crept cautiously to the tree, and 
was on the point of calling to the little Prince 
inside when it occurred to me that perhaps they 
had left a Wood-sprite inside the tree to keep 
watch over him, and that if I should speak to 
him they would know that I had discovered the 
place of his concealment and would remove him 
so soon as I had gone ; whereas, on the contrary, 
if I should say nothing they would not suspect 
anything ; for how should a man be supposed to 
know about a fairy boy’s having been stolen ? 

Convinced that in finding the tree I had ac- 
complished all I could without further help from 
Uno, I walked slowly home. How can I 
manage to catch the scoundrels?” thought I. 
” They are invisible ; and who can put his hand 
on a thing he cannot see? ” A happy thought 
occurred to me : the invisible fish-nets I had 
seen them making in the mill at Weeboro would 
be the very things for my purpose. I will go 
at once to Weeboro, and have the men there 
make me a large invisible fish-net. I will then 
spread it all around the tree, just leaving open 


124 


PRINCE UNO 


the little pathway through which the Wood- 
sprites must come to take the dear boy from 
the tree. So soon as they come out of the hole 
with him, I will draw the net close and catch 
them all.” 

Without thinking of my dinner, I set out at 
once for Weeboro. But how to find the fair- 
ies? I felt that I had no time to spare ; indeed, 
I could not tell how long it would require to 
make the fish-net. I knew that I must be back 
within one week, or it would be too late. I 
had, of course, to find Uno before I could get 
into Fairyland. “ What if I should not be able 
to find him for a week!” thought I, in agony. 
Not a minute must 
be lost. 

I started out at a 
quick pace for the 
seasidebay. On my 
way through the 
woods I passed the 
spot where I had 
first discovered the 
boy who had found 
the tree for me. To 
my surprise, he was 
sitting on the same 
log, with his back 
toward me, and had 
a bowl of soap-suds 
on his knees and a 



THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


125 


long pipe in his mouth. He was blowing soap- 
bubbles, which looked very beautiful as they 
floated away in the air, reflecting all the colors 
of the rainbow. Although I was in a great 
hurry, he seemed to be enjoying himself so 
thoroughly, and was such a picture of content- 
ment, that I could not resist the temptation to 
stop and watch him for a moment. He was 
very dexterous in producing the soap-bubbles, 
which he succeeded in blowing to a large size. 
Some of them, caught by the wind, which was 
blowing gently at the time, went directly up 
into the air out of sight, while others floated 
along very near to the ground until they were 
lost in the woods. 

As I stood watching them I thought I heard 
again the merry laughter of fairies. I listened 
attentively. Could I be mistaken ? No ; it was 
the same joyous laughter that I had heard by 
the sea-shore and in the woods at the leaf-riding 
time. I looked carefully through the bushes 
and up into the trees, but, though I strained my 
eyes until they fairly ached, I could not dis- 
cover a single fairy. 

I closed my eyes and listened. I could dis- 
tinctly hear their laughter, and thought it 
sounded nearer to the ground and in the direc- 
tion in which the soap-bubbles were floating. 
Opening my eyes, and looking in the direction 
of the sound, I made a discovery. The boy 
had just succeeded in blowing an unusually 


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THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


127 


large and strong soap-bubble. It floated softly 
out of his sight behind a thick cedar-bush which 
was in front of him. No sooner was it out of 
his sight than a dozen fairies sprang out of the 
bush, with merry shouts and laughter, and run- 
ning after it, succeeded in catching and holding 
it. While detaining it, it burst. With evident 
disappointment they returned to the bush to 
wait for another. One after another of the 
bubbles, which they succeeded in catching with 
great dexterity, burst as the first had done. 
At last they secured a large and unusually 
strong one, and before it could break they 
threw over it a little net, which, upon looking 
closely, I could see was a cobweb which they 
had found in the woods. The bubble now 
tugged hard, first one way, and then another, 
as if trying to get free; but the little fellows 
held it by the long threads of the web, and, I 
could perceive, were preparing to make a bal- 
loon with it. 

All that they needed for the purpose was a 
car or basket. I was wondering where they 
would procure one when a bright little fellow 
exclaimed, I have it! I know where there is 
a basket!” Running to the cedar-bush, he 
climbed up into its branches. He soon re- 
turned, bearing on his shoulders a small birds’ 
nest that the birds had left there from last year. 
No fairy would take a nest which the birds 
were still using. 


128 


PRINCE UNO 


They all shouted when they saw it, and soon 
had it tied securely below the bubble. The 
balloon was now finished and ready for a ride. 
As many climbed into the nest as it would con- 
veniently hold. So soon as they were all com- 
fortably seated the others cut the rope, and 
away it sailed into the air, as light as a feather, 
carrying with it as merry a set of little romps as 
I had ever seen. 

I was delighted. The boy had evidently seen 
nothing whatever, and was still blowing bub- 
bles as before. 

The fairies who had been unable to find room 
in the nest waited for another bubble to come 
behind the bush. They soon found one strong 
enough for their purpose, and were not long in 
throwing a cobweb over it and tying another 
birds’ nest under it as before ; they seemed to 
know just where to look for an empty birds’ 
nest when they wanted one. Away they sailed 
over the tops of the trees, laughing and sing- 
ing, as happy as only fairies can be. 

I watched them until they became mere 
specks in the distance, and seemed to be as high 
as the clouds themselves. While looking at 
them, the boy, who had exhausted his supply 
of soap-suds, and who had not observed me at 
all, rose quickly from the log on which he was 
sitting, and went home, carrying his bowl and 
pipe with him. I was all alone, and began to 
realize that I had, in my desire to see the fairies 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


129 


and their balloons^ forgotten the object of my 
errand, and lost my only opportunity of inquir- 
ing of them where to find the Prince. It was 
too bad. How could I have been so thought- 
less ! I was thoroughly provoked with myself 
for my stupidity, and was about starting to find 
the seaside bay, greatly fearing that I should 
miss it as before, when I heard some one near 
me laughing roguishly at my discomfiture, and, 
looking carefully about me, I discovered Prince 
Uno himself observing me intently. I need not 
say how delighted I was to see him. 

'‘The very person I was looking for! ” I ex- 
claimed. “You must show me the way to 
Weeboro at once.” 

I think he suspected that I had good reasons 
for haste, for, without asking for explanations, 
he told me to follow him, and we set out at 
once. ' The stone cover to the staircase was soon 
reached, and I lifted it as usual, without waiting 
to be told to do so, and we went down. He 
turned as soon as we reached Fairyland, and 
gave me the small bottle to drink from. I was 
soon of his own size, and we were walking 
quickly along, arm in arm. He saw that I was 
greatly in earnest, and asked me no questions. 

“ My dear Uno,” said I, at last, “ I wish to 
ask you some questions about the Wood-sprites 
and their habits. I am now, as you know, 
spending my whole time looking for your little 
boy.” The pressure of his hand upon my arm 


130 


PRINCE UNO 


showed the interest he felt in my words. " You 
seem to have great power. Could you give me 
anything that would make me invisible to a 
Wood-sprite? ” 

He stopped instantly, and drew from his 
pocket a very small flask of red glass, with a 
gold cap or cover, which was screwed tightly 
on. “ I have prepared this for you, knowing 
that you might need it,” said he. “You have 
only to unscrew the cover carefully and take 
one smell of its contents, and I promise you 
neither Wood- 
sprite nor mortal 
will be able to see 
you. Be sure to 
keep the top care- 
fully closed, so that 
its valuable con- 
tents may not es- 
cape.” 

I thanked him, 
and placed the lit- 
tle flask in my 
pocket. 

“ Now, can you 
give me anything 
that will make a Wood-sprite visible?” I inquired. 

He seemed to have anticipated that I would 
ask this question, for I had hardly spoken the 
last word before he handed me a small box 
containing a fine white powder. 



THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


131 


If only one grain of that powder touches a 
Wood-sprite, it will change him so that you can 
see him plainly ; but it must touch him. If he 
is invisible, of course it will be very difficult to 
know just where to throw it.” 

“ If I once get him into my net,” thought I, 
“ I will know where to throw it ! ” 

Now, would you be willing, my dear Prince, 
to lend me that little bottle containing the 
liquid to rrjake me small, and the powders to 
make me large ? ” 

He smiled. “Yes, I will do this. Uncle 
Frank, since you are searching for my boy ; but 
never mortal had such things before.” 

He gave both to me, and I placed them care- 
fully iq my pocket. I now had the flask to 
make me invisible, the powder to make the 
Wood-sprite visible, the bottle of liquid to make 
me small, and the powders to make me large. 

Did I need anything else? 
I would ask the Prince. 

“ My dear Prince, you know 
I am on very important work, 
and must not fail. Do I need 
anything else ? ” 

“ You will need to have the 
royal scepter of the Fairy 
Kingdom.” 

While I was wondering 
what that could be, he took 
from his bosom the hand- 



132 


PRINCE UNO 


somest thing I had yet seen in Fairyland. It 
was a small golden rod, exquisitely carved, in 
shape not unlike the scepters of kings which I 
had seen in pictures. In one end of it was set 
a most brilliant diamond, which in the sunshine 
fairly dazzled my eyes. 

Uncle Frank,” said he, earnestly, as he 
handed it to me, “ never mortal knew what you 
now know. Never has mortal touched what 
you now hold in your hand. Oh, guard it care- 
fully as you would your life, and bring it safely 
back to me when you have finished your task! 
I trust it with you because I know you are 
faithful and true. If you ca7i once place this in 
7ny bof s hand^ when you find hun, he becomes 
for the tune King of the Fairies, and Beast 
and Bird, Fish arid Insect, Wood-ny^nph and 
Wood-sprite, 7nust obey hiniB 
I was astonished. But suppose the Wood- 
sprite himself should get hold of it?” I ex- 
claimed. 

You need not fear that; he would not dare 
to touch it. If you should see my boy you can 
safely hand him this scepter, though he should 
be surrounded by Wood-sprites. Their power 
over him will cease the moment his little hand 
touches it.” 

How wonderful ! I will guard it with my 
life, dear Prince.” 

Be sure you do,” said he, earnestly. It 
has never been out of my keeping before. You 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


183 



now have everything you need, even for so 
difficult a task as yours. Do you wish me to go 
with you to Weeboro?” 

I preferred this time to go alone, and told 
him so. He seemed to understand my reason, 
and made no objection. I held out my hand to 
bid him good-by. 

Rely upon me, dear Prince, and tell the 
lovely Ino to keep her spirits up, for I will yet 
find her boy.” 

He pressed my hand, but did not answer. 
His eyes were filled with tears. I wished to 
comfort him, but felt that no poor words of 
mine were sufficient for the purpose. Return- 


134 


PRINCE UNO 


ing the pressure of his hand, I left him and 
started on my journey for Weeboro. 

I was soon out of the city of the fairies, and 
had reached the place where I had before taken 
the Prince on my shoulder, when I bethought 
me of the powder which would make me large 
and enable me to get there more quickly than 
in my present small size. 

I soon reached the mountain behind which I 
had stood with the Prince, and stepping as be- 
fore on the little hill at its foot, I bent aside the 
trees on the top of the mountain and once more 
looked down on the beautiful city. What did 
I see? 

The streets were full of soldiers hurrying to 
the Square, where they rapidly formed in line, 
as an army. Sitting on his horse, in the uni- 
form of a general, was the King himself direct- 
ing the movements of his troops. I was aston- 
ished. What could be the cause of all this 
confusion and excitement? I soon discovered 
it. At a distance of several miles from the city, 
and approaching it rapidly, was a still larger 
army than that of King Leo. I was not long 
in deciding that it must be the army of the 
proud little King of whom the Prince had told 
me, and who so frequently made war without 
just cause upon the King of Weeboro. 

The soldiers of this new army were of the 
same size as those of Weeboro, but their king 
was rather taller than King Leo, and was a fine. 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


135 


soldierly little fellow, who sat upon his war- 
horse as proudly as any monarch in the world. 
He turned from time to time to urge his men to 
greater speed, and was apparently in hope to 
take the town by surprise before King Leo 
could get his army in readiness to meet him. 

In this he was disappointed, however ; for so 
careful had King Leo been to keep guard over 
his country that he had known of the approach 
of the enemy long before his army was in sight. 
As the invaders approached the town they 
saw the splendid troops of Weeboro marching 
steadily and bravely out to meet them. 

I was profoundly interested. Need I say 
that my sympathies were all with my little 
friends, or that I admired the coolness with 
which King Leo gave his orders to his officers, 
who galloped away with them to their respec- 
tive commands? I was eager to see which 
army would commence the attack, and observed 
with misgivings that the force of King Leo was 
not nearly so large as that of his enemy. I 
could only hope that he might make up for the 
difference, however, by courage and skill. 

He evidently thought that he would gain by 
making the attack, for he ordered his troops 
to advance. They did so steadily, although 
the cannon of the enemy made sad havoc in 
their ranks. Three several times they charged 
bravely down upon the greater numbers of the 
foe ; three several times were they beaten back. 


136 


PRINCE UNO 


notwithstanding they fought like lions. I could 
see, even at the distance at which I was stand- 
ing, the anxious look on the face of my little 
friend as he ranged his men once more in line, 
but with the evident intention this time of letting 
his enemy make the attack. 

He had not long to wait, for the opposing 
King came on, without stopping for a moment 
longer than was necessary to get his men into 
line. He was bravely met, and, to my delight, 
was beaten back. Again and again was he 
obliged to retire before the courageous army of 
Weeboro, now fighting at its very gates for 
home and country, wives and children. They 
could not keep up such an unequal battle long, 
however, for so great was the force of the, in- 
vading King that he was able to bring fresh 
troops to the attack so soon as those in the front 
ranks were exhausted or disabled. I could see 
that the army of Weeboro was beginning to 
give way at every point, retiring slowly into the 
city itself, while bravely and stubbornly con- 
testing every inch of the ground. 

How bravely King Leo fought, like the lion 
for which he was named ! He seemed to be des- 
perate now, and his sword looked like a ray of 
sunlight, so constantly did it flash through the air. 
But what could courage and skill and personal 
strength avail against such odds? He was 
forced back, inch by inch, until he was at last 
in front of his own little palace, where, com- 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


137 


pletely surrounded by the enemy, he still held 
his ground, single-handed, with such strength 
and courage as only a brave man can show 
when he fights in defense of wife and child, 
and at the very door of his own home. 

It was at this moment that the other King 
beheld him, and calling upon several of his 
strongest men to press forward and end the 
battle by killing the brave Leo himself, the 
other King soon stood in front of him. They 
had just crossed swords in mortal combat when 
a terrible heartbroken cry rang out upon the air. 
The little Queen had rushed from the palace 
upon seeing her husband’s danger. 

I could wait no longer. I had been so inter- 
ested in the battle that I had not realized the 
danger of my little friend, or my great strength 
and power to save him. That cry of agony 
seemed to arouse me out of my strange irreso- 
lution. Raising myself quickly to the top of 
the mountain, I cried out, ''Stop!'' in a voice 
which must have sounded like thunder to the 
little people below. 

In an instant, and while they were gazing at 
my enormous form, I stepped down the side of the 
mountain, waded the river, and was at the side of 
King Leo. The effect can be imagined. The 
soldiers of Weeboro and their brave King knew 
me at once as their friend, and were now sure 
of my help, while the invading army were almost 
paralyzed with fear at seeing so terrible a giant. 


138 


PRINCE UNO 


I took away the 
sword of their King 
and made him a 
prisoner. So fright- 
ened were all of his 
officers and men that 
the soldiers of Wee- 
boro had no trouble 
in capturing them. 

Defeat had been 
instantly changed 
into victory. Need I 
attempt to tell how 
thankful the Queen was to me for saving her hus- 
band ? or how, with tears in her eyes, she tried 
to express her gratitude ? It would be impossible. 

All of the guns, swords, horses, and cannon 
of the enemy, of course, now became the prop- 
erty of Weeboro, and the soldiers themselves, 
without arms of any kind, were quickly marched 
outside of the city and placed under guard. 

Remembering what Prince Uno had told me 
about the frequency of these attacks by his 
vicious enemy on my friend Leo, I determined 
to take advantage of this opportunity to put an 
effectual stop to them. I told both of the kings 
that I desired to meet them in the Court-house, 
where I should insist on the signing of a per- 
manent treaty of peace. I observed that King 
Leo had very generously returned the sword of 
his enemy to him. While I could not help ad- 



THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


139 



It required but a step or two for me to reach 
the Court-house door, where, desiring to enter 
with the two kings, I took a swallow from the 
bottle, and, as I stood waiting for them on the 
steps, was soon no larger than they ; indeed, I 
was now not nearly so large and strong as the 
captive King himself. Whatever his surprise, 
however, he did not speak, and we entered the 
building together. 

As I was now on a level with him, I was able 
to get a better view of his face, and must confess 


140 


PRINCE UNO 


I was not pleased with his looks. He seemed 
of a treacherous, vindictive, and ambitious dis- 
position, and was a disagreeable contrast in this 
respect to my friend Leo, whose candor and 
frankness could not for an instant be doubted. 

We entered the council-room of the Court- 
house, and took our seats at a table. 

“ If you will excuse me for a moment,” said 
Leo, ” I will bring pens, ink, and paper.” 

He went out, closing the door after him. No 
sooner had he left us than I had reason to re- 
gret having changed to my small size, for the 
strange King instantly drew his sword. 

” I will teach you now not to interfere in 
my matters again,” said he. “You are now no 
larger or stronger than I, and I shall kill 
you.” 

I was thoroughly alarmed, being without a 
weapon of any kind with which to defend my- 
self. Even my penknife was a tiny, useless 
thing. It was clear I was no match for the 
warlike monarch with his sharp sword. I felt 
sure that if he could succeed in killing me while 
small, I would be as effectually dead as if I 
were killed by a larger sword while of full size. 

He did not hesitate, but started angrily for 
me, and I jumped quickly behind the table, 
seizing a chair with which to defend myself. 
At this moment, fortunately for me, the door 
opened and King Leo entered. He seemed to 
understand the situation at a glance, and draw- 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


141 


ing his sword, attacked my opponent with great 
bravery and skill, for he was an accomplished 
swordsman. 

You may imagine I was not long in taking 
advantage of the interruption to get out my 
powders. In my haste I swallowed two of them, 
and rose so quickly to my full height that I 
carried the entire roof of the Court-house up 
with me, balanced like a hat upon my head, 
and was once more master of the field. Great 
was the surprise of the people of the town, who, 
seeing the roof rise so rapidly in the air, sup- 
posed there had been some terrible explosion 
inside. They were much relieved, however, 
when they perceived my gigantic head and 
shoulders rising out of the building like a great 
jack-in-a-box. 

The two kings were now not so high as my 
shoe, and their swords no bigger than pins as 
compared with my great size. I took that of 
the strange King out of his hand and stuck it 
in the lapel of my coat, and resolved that he 
should not have it again. 

After removing the roof of the Court-house 
from my head, and shaking the broken plaster 
from my shoulders and hair, I stepped out of 
the building, and, getting down on my hands 
and knees, looked over into the room where the 
two kings were already engaged in talking over 
the treaty. After I had removed the sword 
from the hand of his enemy. King Leo, refusing 




















THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


143 


to take advantage of the defenseless position of 
his prisoner at a time when he could easily have 
killed him, — and he certainly deserved to be 
killed, — had returned his own sword to its scab- 
bard, and actually invited the little scoundrel to 
take a chair. 

“I shall have to require you,” said he, “to 
sign an agreement never to take up arms against 
me again.” 

“ I will do nothing of the kind,” replied his 
Majesty, King Vim; for that, I afterward 
learned, was his name. 

“Then, my dear Leo,” said I, “you will not 
let him return at all.” 

This brought the spunky little fellow to his 
senses. I think he had forgotten for the mo- 
ment that I was looking down upon them both. 
At the sound of my voice he looked angrily up 
at my great face with an expression of vexation 
at being reminded of the disadvantage in which 
he found himself which, taking into account the 
difference in our sizes, was comical to behold. 
I could not help admiring his courage, for I 
think almost any other being of the same size 
would have been frightened out of his wits. 

After examining the papers carefully he re- 
luctantly signed the treaty. 

I was convinced, however, from the expres- 
sion of his countenance, that he did not intend 
to keep it, and felt certain that he was not to be 
trusted. After observing him thoughtfully for 


144 


PRINCE UNO 


a moment, I decided to give him a severe lec- 
ture. 

“You do not seem to appreciate the gene- 
rosity of King Leo, my friend,” said I, “ and I 
have only this to say to you : that if you ever 
do break the treaty which you have signed, and 
take up arms against him again, I shall come to 
your city myself and shall not leave one brick 
upon another. I shall level it to the ground 
with a few good kicks, and bring you a prisoner 
to Weeboro, to work for the balance of your life 
as a day-laborer in King Leo’s coal-mine!” 

This terrible threat seemed to have the effect 
upon him which I desired, for he became very 
quiet and docile. 

The treaty which had been signed was now 
placed for safe keeping in the vault of the Court- 
house, and the two kings left the building. 

I picked up the roof of the Court-house from 
the ground, on which I had deposited it, and 
fitted it carefully on the walls again, so that in 
the event of a storm the rain could not injure 
the building. 

The two kings walked away toward the army 
of King Vim, engaged in an earnest conversa- 
tion which I could not overhear. It seemed to 
me that King Leo, judging from his manner and 
gestures, was advising with Vim as if with a 
friend rather than as with a man who had just 
attempted his life. 

They soon reached the outer gate of the city, 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


145 


and proceeded to the army of King Vim, which, 
without arms or horses, was waiting, under 
guard, just outside the walls. A few steps 
brought me to their side. King Vim perceived 
my approach, and, turning to me, said as coolly 
as if I had been one of his own officers : 

I will now trouble you for my sword.” 

I was both surprised and indignant. “ Why,” 
said I, you are the most impudent little thing 
I ever saw ! Here you have tried to kill, first 
my valued friend King Leo, and then my poor 
self, with this very sword; and now you have 
the coolness to ask me to return it, as though 
you had loaned it to me as a favor! You have 
my word for it — and it is a pretty big word for 
a chap of your size to carry about with him — 
that you shall never put hand upon it again!” 

And I may state here that he did not, for I 
quietly resolved to take it home with me and 
use it for a scarf-pin. I saw that it would make 
a beautiful one, for its hilt was of solid gold, 
inlaid with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, and 
the blade itself of the finest blue steel. I felt 
justified in retaining it, for, by the rules of war, 
he had fairly lost it in consequence of the bad 
use he had made of it. It afterward played an 
important part in this history, but whether as a 
scarf-pin or not will be seen. 

How am I to get home ? ” asked King Vim, 
sullenly, looking up at me out of the corners of 
his eyes. 


146 


PRINCE UNO 


The way you came, crosspatch,” I replied. 
“ You don’t expect us to send you in a carriage, 
do you ? ” 

But I came on horseback,” said he, hinting 
plainly for the return of his horse, for which he 
was too proud to ask. 

"'Well, you will go back on foot,” I replied; 
“ you will have more leisure and better oppor- 
tunity for observing the scenery.” 

He looked daggers at me, but could, of course, 
do nothing. I could not help smiling at his te- 
merity, however ; for I was now so large as to 
be able to squeeze him to death easily between 
my thumb and forefinger, and yet he treated me 
as coolly as if I were no bigger than himself. 

King Leo was a kind-hearted man, and was 
generous enough to give King Vim a horse on 
which to ride home. I said nothing by way of 
objection, for I was pleased to see on Vim’s face 
a look which showed that he appreciated the 
kindness. Indeed, after a moment’s reflection, 
he turned to the generous Leo, and, holding out 
his hand, thanked him cordially, but said not a 
word to me. On the contrary, he turned his 
back proudly upon me, as though ignoring the 
fact that there was any such person as my great 
self in existence. With a smile on my face I 
watched him as he sprang into his saddle and 
rode silently away, followed by his men in regu- 
lar marching order. I watched them for miles. 
He spoke to no one, but, with bowed head, hu- 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


147 


miliated and disappointed, looked neither to 
the right hand nor to the left, and never once 
behind him. They were soon out of sight. 

As I was now 
so very large that 
I could not with 
any comfort talk 
to the King, and 
as there was no 
longer any danger 
in my being small, 
I took a drink from 
my bottle, and was 
soon walking so- 
ciably, arm in arm, 
with him. 

When we reached the palace and had ascended 
the steps I saw that an immense crowd of the 
people had assembled in the Square. They no 
sooner beheld us than they cried out : 

” Long live King Leo and our good friend 
Donkey ! ” 

This was the first time I had heard the name 
of Donkey applied to me seriously. They had 
remembered the name which Prince Uno^ had 
given to me as a joke, and had evidently sup- 
posed he was in earnest and that it was my real 
name. 

I could not help smiling, and said, “ My dear 
Leo, your name is a very appropriate one, for 
you certainly are as brave as a lion ; but I hope 



148 


PRINCE UNO 


that I do not resemble the animal whose name 
I seem to bear.” 

“This is too bad,” said he; “I must explain 
to them.” 

He did so, telling them it was all a joke of 
Prince Uno, and that my real name was Uncle 
Frank. 

“ I am too good-natured to care about it, my 
dear King,” said I ; “ and since calling me a 
donkey could not make me one, there is no need 
of correcting them.” 

We were about to enter the palace when we 
perceived a little man, who looked like a farmer, 
come riding up the street toward us, almost 
breathless with haste and excitement. He was 
without coat or hat. We both stopped to hear 
what news he could bring. 

He alighted quickly from his horse, and bowed 
before the King. 

“Your Majesty, an immense tiger is in the 
woods near the city, and has already killed two 
people. Will you not let a regiment of soldiers 
surround the woods and shoot him?” 

King Leo’s face wore an anxious look. “ Here 
is more trouble,” said he. “ These tigers destroy 
more of my people every year than do the wars 
themselves, I believe. Before this one can be 
killed at least a hundred of my best men must 
perish.” 

I wondered how large the tiger could be, and 
inquired of the farmer. 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


149 



“ He is larger than any yet seen,” he replied 
— ‘'fully as long as my horse.” 

“ My dear King,” said I, turning to Leo, ” let 
me manage this terrible tiger for you.” 

He looked much relieved. ” I cannot repay 
you. Uncle Frank, for a tenth of your kindness 
to me.” 

” You can repay me easily for all I have done, 
my dear King,” said I, remembering the object 
of my visit to Weeboro and the necessity of 
commencing the invisible fish-net at once. 

“ If you will let your regiment of soldiers 
surround the forest in which the tiger is hiding, 
they can without danger, by building fires and 


150 


PRINCE UNO 


making noises, keep him in the woods until I 
can come to capture him. In the meantime I 
wish to visit your fish-net mill and have your 
men begin the manufacture of a large fish-net 
for me as soon as possible. As soon as we get 
the men at work upon that important task I 
promise to undertake to secure your tiger for 
you.” 

The King smiled sadly. No fish-net that 
we could make, Uncle Frank, would hold a 
tiger.” 

I explained to him that I wished the net for 
another and very different purpose, and that, 
as I was anxious to have it by a certain time, 
I wished to get the men at work upon it at 
once. 

We will instantly set out for the mill,” said 
King Leo, ” and I promise you our best efforts.” 

We walked rapidly, and were not long in 
reaching the building. I explained to the fore- 
man the kind of net I wished. He listened at- 
tentively, made a few figures upon a sheet of 
paper, and said he could give it to me in seven- 
teen days. 

” That will not do. I must have it in six, or 
it will be too late ! ” 

“ He must have it in six,” said the King, “ if 
it takes every man, woman, and child in Wee- 
boro to do it.” 

‘'Your Majesty,” replied the foreman, “it 
will take five hundred men to prepare the ma- 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


161 


terial alone in that time, and another five hun- 
dred to do the work.” 

“ They are at your command, from my army,” 
said Leo. 

“Then I promise it in six days,” replied the 
foreman. 

I thanked the King, and, guided by the little 
farmer on horseback, started at once for the 
woods to capture the tiger. 

I found it necessary, of course, before starting 
to change to my large size, and did so. The 
King explained to the farmer — who, as he lived 
in the country, had not seen me on my visit to 
the city — all about my great height, advising 
him to put a cloth over his horse’s head, that it 
might not be frightened and run away. The 
man was greatly astonished and somewhat 
frightened, but under the assurances of the 
King controlled his feelings, and rode ahead of 
me in order that his horse might not see me. 
We soon came to the woods, the man riding at 



152 


PRINCE UNO 


the top of his speed, and I walking leisurely 
behind him. He hoped I would not require 
him to go farther, and, to his great relief, I in- 
formed him that he might return, and that alone 
I would look for the tiger. The soldiers who 
had surrounded the forest had been keeping 
watch carefully, and were sure that the animal 
was still in the woods, as they had heard him 
growling savagely at intervals of every few 
minutes, although he was now quiet. 

The little farmer was not long in availing 
himself of the permission to ride to a safe dis- 
tance, and I at once commenced my search, 
getting down on my hands and knees for the 
purpose, and bending the trees aside where they 
grew unusually close together, in order to look 
between and under them. Not a sign of a tiger, 
however, could I see. 

I proceeded carefully in this manner for 
several miles. At one place, where the bushes 
were unusually thick, I found a little striped 
kitten. It was one of the smallest I had ever 
seen, and was beautifully marked. I picked it 
up. It was quite wild, — I supposed from being 
in the woods, — but I soon quieted it by smooth- 
ing its soft fur with one hand while I held it 
securely with the other. When I first seized it, 
it had tried to scratch and bite me, and showed 
its little teeth in a spiteful manner amusing to 
behold. I placed it in my bosom, buttoning my 
coat carefully over it, intending to take it home, 


153 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 



and continued my search for the tiger ; but finding 
that the kitten was trying to escape by crawling 
out between the buttons, I placed it in my coat 
pocket and fastened the flap securely over it. 
I examined cautiously every inch of the entire 
forest, but, seeing nothing of the tiger, con- 
cluded that he had escaped, notwithstanding 
the vigilance of the soldiers. Rising to my feet, 
I stepped back to where the little farmer was 
waiting for me, surrounded by a number of his 
neighbors. They were all very much disap- 
pointed to find that I had seen nothing of the 
tiger, but were somewhat relieved to learn that 
he was no longer in the woods and had probably 
left that part of the country. I promised if he 
made his appearance again to return and capture 
him. Bidding them good afternoon, I started 
to walk back to the town, accompanied by the 
farmer, who wished to ask the King to allow a 


154 


PRINCE UNO 


guard of soldiers to remain near the forest dur- 
ing the night. We were not long in reaching 
the city, where Leo and a large crowd of his 
people were waiting to see me bring in the 
terrible animal. They were, of course, greatly 
disappointed, and I regretted my failure ex- 
ceedingly when I saw how badly the good King 
himself felt. Unconsciously I put my hand in 
my pocket for my handkerchief, and was re- 
minded of the kitten by feeling its soft fur. 

" By the way, I have found a most beautiful 
pet for you, my dear King,” said I. I drew out 
the little creature, holding it very carefully, for 
it was wonderfully strong for so small a kitten, 
and was still quite wild. To my surprise, the 
little people had no sooner seen the kitten in 
my hand than they scattered in every direction. 

”The tiger! the tiger!” I could hear from 
frightened lips on every side. Even the brave 
Leo himself turned pale. 

“Hold him tight. Uncle Frank!” he ex- 
claimed. “ It is the tiger himself!” 

I was greatly amused, and laughed so loud 
and long that the poor little tiger dropped its 
tail, laid its ears close to its head, and, trembling 
in every limb, seemed as frightened at the sound 
of my voice as the people had been at his ap- 
pearance. I had actually captured the terrible 
tiger himself, and held him securely in my hand. 
Having shown the King and the people how 
easily I could manage him, they gradually came 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


156 


nearer to see the formidable monster that had 
given them such a fright. 

The King ordered a strong iron cage to be 
brought. It was about as large as a rat-trap, 
and I placed the tiger in it, fastening the door 
securely. The immense crowd of people that 
now pressed around the cage showed how great 
a curiosity was the little animal I had captured. 
I left them looking at it, and, stepping over 
their heads, was soon at the side of King Leo, 
of whom I desired to ask a few questions before 
returning home. 

It seemed best for me to make myself small, 
and I did so, in order that I might be on a level 
with him, and thus be able to converse more 
sociably, as Prince Uno would say. 

My kind and noble friend,” he exclaimed, 
how can I ever repay you for your valuable 
service to me ? ” 

In one way only, my dear King, and that is 
by having the invisible fish-net ready for me on 
time.” 

It shall be ready on the day it is wanted,” 
said he, ” if I have to take off my velvet coat 
and work in the mill with my own royal hands.” 

I thanked him heartily. 

“ May I inquire what kind of fish you expect 
to catch in it? ” he asked. 

I expect to catch the Wood-sprite who stole 
Prince Uno’s boy.” 

His face and manner changed in an instant 


156 


PRINCE UNO 


from the gaiety of a moment before to the most 
serious attention, and, taking my arm, he led 
me aside where we could be quite alone. 

“ And are you good enough to be spending 
your time looking for that dear boy ? ” he asked. 

I replied that I was, and that I intended to 
give up everything else until I had found him. 

And now, my dear King, when I tell you 
that I can do absolutely nothing until that net 
is finished, and that I firmly believe I can recover 
the boy when it is finished, you will understand 
why I am so anxious.” 

'' Rely upon me, it shall be ready,” he replied. 

If I were not sufficiently in debt to you your- 
self to attend to it, I would feel myself bound 
to do it for the love and duty I bear the Prince.” 

“Has Uno, then, authority over you?” I 
asked in some surprise, although I remembered 
the respect which the King had shown Prince 
Uno on my first visit to Weeboro. 

“ Indeed he has ; but it is a pleasure to serve 
so noble a master,” he replied. “ Prince Uno 
is a powerful monarch, and he is as well beloved 
by all of his subjects, excepting one, as he is 
powerful.” 

“ I am surprised at one thing,” I replied. “ I 
cannot understand why, if he is so powerful, he 
does not make the Wood-sprite tell him where 
his boy is.” 

“ He could force the rascal to tell if he were 
only willing to,” replied the King; “but Uno 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


157 


is SO noble and so just that he will not consent 
to have the Wood-sprite tortured into confes- 
sion. His argument is that he does not actually 
know that the Wood-sprite has his boy, and it 
would be very unjust and 
cruel to torture the Wood- 
sprite on mere suspicion. And 
so,’’ continued the King, “ he 
will not do an unjust act even 
to recover his boy. What 
provokes me is that the mis- 
erable Sprite laughs in secret 
at the sufferings of his noble 
master, and at the security he 
enjoys through that master’s 
nobleness.” 

“ If I could only find the 
boy,” I exclaimed, I would 
be willing to spend my life in 
the search. But I must leave 
you, for it is growing late, dear Leo. Take 
good care of my kitten.” 

He smiled. ” Suppose you look at the kitten 
now, while you are so small,” said he. “Pos- 
sibly it may not look so insignificant to you.” 

I decided to do so, and we both walked over 
to the cage. The crowd respectfully made way 
for us, so that we could get close to it. What 
had seemed a rat-trap to me while I was large 
was now a great cage, with iron bars strong 
enough indeed to hold a tiger. Behind them. 



168 


PRINCE UNO 


his eyes glancing wildly from one of us to the 
other, his tail lashing his sides in his fury, was 
a terrible tiger. My little heart fairly stopped 
beating as I looked into his open red mouth 
and saw his formidable teeth. As we drew 
nearer he sprang with his full weight against 
the bars, in mad efforts to get at us. I am sure 
he would have made short work of me if he had 
only been loose. I no longer wondered that 
the people had scampered in every direction 
when they first saw him. It was plain to be 
seen that he was trying to get at me. Could it 
be that he recognized in my small face the great 
enemy who had captured him in the woods? I 
verily believe he did. He made great springs 
at the bars of the cage, and at last succeeded in 
bending two of them apart so as nearly to admit 
of his putting his whole head through. In an- 
other moment, it was clear, he would be free. 
The crowd commenced to give way in all direc- 
tions, and the King drew his sword to defend 
himself. I was terribly frightened, but be- 
thought me of my powders. I swallowed one 
hastily, and commenced to grow rapidly up, up, 
up to my full height and great size. It was 
amusing to observe the effect upon the tiger. 
He at once ceased his efforts to get at me. His 
tail fell between his legs, his ears were laid back 
close to his head, and, trembling in every limb, 
he showed every symptom of fear. I was now 
six feet tall, and looked down once more upon 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


159 


a rat-trap, in which was no longer a great and 
terrible wild beast, but an innocent, timid, gentle 
little kitten. I straightened the bars of the cage, 
and, putting my hand through the door, gently 
stroked its soft fur. 

“How strange!” I thought. “Here my 
hand is stroking his back with perfect safety, 
where a few short moments before it would 
have been torn in pieces. Thus it is with many 
of the difficulties and troubles with which we 
have to contend in life. If we permit ourselves 
to be frightened by them and shrink from our 
duty, they soon overpower us ; but if we rise 
above them, they grow small and insignificant, 
and we easily master them!” I fastened the 
door securely, and turned to bid the King 
good-by. He regretted to have me leave, and 
made me promise to come often to visit him. 
“We cannot do without you now. Uncle Frank,” 
said he. “You are too valuable a friend to lose ! ” 

I thanked him for the compliment, promised 
to come soon again, and started for the fairy 
palace, the little people cheering me loudly as 
I walked away. 

A very quick walk soon brought me to the 
palace. Taking the drink to make me small 
again, I ran briskly up the steps, and was met 
at the door by both Uno and Ino, who seemed 
overjoyed to see me once more. 

Tea was waiting, and I was invited to a seat 
at the table. After tea we spent the evening in 


160 


PRINCE UNO 


the parlor. At bedtime I was about to retire 
when it occurred to me to ask the Prince if there 
was not some way for me to find him whenever 
I needed him. I reminded him of the difficulty 
I had experienced. As I was now on most im- 
portant business, and as it would be very serious 
if I should not be able to get back to Weeboro 
on the day the fish-net was to be ready, the 
question seemed a very reasonable one. He 
did not answer, but, removing the beautiful 
little pearl horn with which I had seen him 
summon the fairies, he placed it in my hand. 

“Another of my treasures,” he said. “You 
have only to sound this horn when you need 
me, and I will be with you in a second.” 

This was grand. With so many things as I 
now had I felt that there could be no such word 
as “ fail.” 

The Prince showed the way to my room, after 
I had said good night to the Princess. Before 
leaving me he gave me an invitation to accom- 
pany him, on the following day, on one of his 
errands to do good. As there was nothing to 
prevent my doing so, I gladly accepted the in- 
vitation. Bidding me good night, with a wish 
that I might have pleasant dreams, he left me. 

I undressed and got into the little bed, having 
first taken pains to place the horn safely in my 
breast pocket. I determined this time to keep 
my eyes open in order to see the fairies when 
they came to move me. It was of no use. No 


THE BUBBLE RIDERS 


161 


sooner was the cover tucked in around me, and 
my head upon the pillow, than I began to feel 
sleepy. My eyes gradually closed, as if the lids 
had weights upon them, and in a few moments 
I was sound asleep. 

When I awoke it was morning. I was in my 
own room at home, and my clothes were on the 
chair by the side of the bed. 





1 



■■ f 


The magic 

CHAIR 




, / 


/ 




*‘So rose from earth the lovely Fay, 

So vanished, far in heaven away.’* 

The Culprit Fay. 



IV 

THE MAGIC CHAIR 

RUBBED my eyes to make sure 
that I was awake, and happened 
to look at my bureau. What 
was my surprise to see the silk 
necktie which I had removed 
from my collar the night before 
badly torn, and with a great sword fully four 
feet long running through it. It was a mag- 
nificent weapon, with a handle of solid gold, 
inlaid with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. In 
the end of the hilt was a brilliant diamond as 
large as a walnut. You can imagine my sur- 
165 




166 


PRINCE UNO 



prise. For a moment I could not understand it, 
but I soon remembered having taken the sword 
of King Vim from the lapel of my coat before 
retiring in the fairy palace, and having adjusted 
it carefully as a scarf-pin in my necktie. It had 
now evidently grown large like myself, and 
was of the appropriate size for a full-grown 
man. 

At once I bethought me of the little horn the 
Prince had given me, and wondered if it, too, 
had grown large like the sword. But no ; it was 
still as small as when the Prince had placed it 
in my hand. All the other things given me by 
Uno — the flask, the bottle, and the box of 
powders — were also of their tiny size. 

I now recalled the fact that the pocketful of 
knives which I had purchased in Weeboro had 
grown large like the sword, and I decided that 
the things belonging to fairies never changed in 
size, and that it was only those of the little 
people whom I had seen in Weeboro that grew 
large like myself. I concluded that if King Leo 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


167 



and King Vim them- 
selves were once out of 
Fairyland they would 
become quite as large 
as other folks. 

After dressing, I 
buckled the sword to 
my side so that the 
beautiful handle was 
concealed by my coat, 
and went down to break- 
fast, which I ate very 
hastily, as I was anxious 
to meet Prince Uno and 
go with him on the 
errand, in accordance 
with his invitation. 

I searched long and 
carefully for him by the 
sea and through the 
woods, and thought it 
very strange that he had 
not taken any pains to 
meet me when he knew 
I was to go with him at 
his own request. I was 
becoming quite uneasy 
when I happened to 
think of the little horn. 
How stupid not to have 
thought of it before ! I 



168 


PRINCE UNO 


took it from my coat pocket, and, placing it to 
my lips, blew a soft, clear note such as I had 
heard him sound upon it. I had hardly time to 
place it again in my pocket before he stood in 
front of me, smiling. 

“ Well, if you are ready to go with me. Uncle 
Frank, we will set out at once.” 

I was, of course, ready, and we immediately 
started. 

” I think, on reflection,” said he, that you 
would better make yourself both small and in- 
visible, as I am going where I do not wish you 
to be seen.” 

I took the little flask he had given me, and, 
unscrewing the top, smelled of its contents. It 
was very pleasant and fragrant to smell, like 
some delightful perfume. I fastened the top on 
again carefully, and replaced the flask in my 
vest pocket. I was about to inquire of the 
Prince how long it would be before I would 
become invisible, when I happened to look 
down at my feet. I could not see them at all ; 
indeed, there seemed to be nothing between my 
eyes and the ground itself, for my feet, legs, 
arms, and my body itself, had entirely disap- 
peared. The sensation was an exceedingly 
strange one. I could feel myself distinctly, and 
was conscious of moving my legs and arms with 
my usual strength, but in all other respects I 
seemed composed of air. 

I spoke to the Prince, but, strange to say, 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


169 


could not hear my own voice. Is my voice 
invisible, too?” I exclaimed. 

The Prince laughed heartily. He evidently 
heard me, though I could not hear myself. 

“Your voice can now only be heard by a 
fairy,” said he, “ and you can only be seen by 
a fairy. No mortal eye could now see you, nor 
mortal ear hear you ; and it will be very con- 
venient to-day, for I am going to visit mortal 
people, and you must be neither seen nor heard.” 

This was certainly very strange, but, on the 
whole, I rather enjoyed such privileges. 

“You are too large and clumsy,” he con- 
tinued, “ to go visiting with a fairy, and must 
make yourself small.” 

I could not see what difference it could make, 
now that I was invisible, whether I were large 
or small ; but I felt in my pocket for the little 
bottle, and took a swallow of its contents. I 
suppose it had the usual effect, for the Prince 
seemed satisfied with my present size, though 
I could not see for myself. 

“You will now find,” said the Prince, “that 
you can fly.” 

“That I can fly! ” I exclaimed. 

“ Yes,” he answered ; “ you can fly, or rather 
you can float in the air from one place to an- 
other, which is about the same thing, or, at 
least, equally as convenient.” 

“You surprise me,” I replied. 

“ Well, you might as well try,” said he, “ and 


170 


PRINCE UNO 



begin 

now ; we have a long 
way to go, and may just as well 
ride as walk. You have only to will that you 
shall float through the air with me over the trees 
and hills, and we are off ; so do just as you see 
me do.” 

He gave a light spring into the air, and com- 
menced to go up without any effort whatever. 
I watched him closely, and, imitating him, found 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


171 


myself floating as easily as a bit of thistle-down 
or a feather. Up, up, up we went — over the 
bushes, over the tallest trees, over the hill itself, 
until we were, I should think, half a mile high. 
It was delightful. The birds were flying about 
us and below us, and we could see far and wide. 
The Prince turned to look at me from time to 
time, and laughed heartily at my astonishment. 

‘'Well, how do you like this?” said he, at 
length. 

“ I think it is perfectly splendid,” I replied. 

I could move in any direction I desired, could 
go up or down, as I wished, or could sit still, 
balanced pleasantly in the air, as if upon a bed 
of the softest down ; indeed, I felt that I could 
have ridden on a leaf from the top of the tallest 
tree as easily as I had seen the fairies them- 
selves riding on the day that they filled the 
barn. 

“ We will talk as we go,” said Prince Uno, 
“ and I will explain to you where we are going 
and tell you about the people we are to see.” 

We floated along easily in the direction he 
pointed out, and he commenced his story. 

“ The little boy we are about to visit,” said 
he, “ is called Lame Will. He is so called from 
being a cripple, having been for years unable to 
walk a step; but he is so patient and uncom- 
plaining, so gentle and cheerful, that he has 
made friends of the fairies, and to-day he is to 
receive from me a present which will be more 


172 


PRINCE UNO 


valuable to him than would be a fortune of 
money. He was injured while an infant,” the 
Prince continued, “ by a fall which hurt his 
back, and now he has to spend all of his time 
in an uncomfortable chair, and be pushed about 
from place to place by some one else, for he 
cannot move himself. What makes it harder 
for him is the fact that his father is a poor car- 
penter and cannot afford to hire any one to push 
him about ; and as his mother has her work to 
do, the poor fellow has to sit patiently in one 
place the greater part of the day. Fortunately, 
he loves the woods. Not far from his father’s 
house is a beautiful forest of pine-trees, whose 
falling leaves have covered the ground with a 
soft brown carpet. To these woods, whenever 
the weather is pleasant, either his father or his 
mother rolls his little chair; and there he sits 
patiently, all alone, with no companions except 
the birds and the bees and the squirrels, the 
whole of a summer day. They are pleasant 
company for him, though, for they all know 
him and are not afraid of him. Even the beau- 
tiful humming-birds, the most timid of all birds, 
will come and sit upon the arm of Will’s chair 
by the hour; and the squirrels bring him nuts 
to eat, and play hide-and-seek with one another 
over his chair, as if he were one of them. The 
honey-bees are great friends of his, too. I have 
myself seen them bring him honey to eat with 
his plain dinner of dry bread. So you see,” 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


173 


continued the Prince, “ that, although poor Will 
is lame and cannot help himself, he has many- 
kind and pleasant friends, and is not so lonesome 
as one would suppose.” 

We were by this time floating over a forest 
of pine-trees, and the Prince, pointing down, 
showed me where, far below us, a woman was 
pushing a chair toward them, in which sat a 
little boy such as he had described. 

“We are just in time,” said the Prince. 
“ Will’s mother is rolling him to his favorite 
place in the woods. We will go down and make 
him a visit after she has returned.” 

We descended gradually and softly until we 
reached the tops of the trees, and then settled 
down quietly among their fragrant leaves until 
we reached the lowest limb of a very large tree 
near the edge of the woods. The Prince took 
a seat upon a branch, where he sat swinging 
gracefully backward and forward in the gentle 
breeze which was blowing through the forest. 
Will and his mother were now under the tree 
itself, and I took a seat on a limb near the 
Prince, where I could easily see the lame boy’s 
face. It was a pale face ; it looked as if he were 
in pain; but it wore a cheerful smile as he 
turned to thank his mother for bringing him to 
the woods. His chair was roughly put together, 
of wood, and had small wheels on which it could 
be rolled about from place to place ; but it did 
not look at all comfortable. 


174 


PRINCE UNO 




SV . ' 


Now I must leave you, my 
dear Will, with your little friends, 
and get back to my work,” said 
his mother. 

She stooped to kiss him, and 
telling him she would come for 
him at night, left the woods, and 
was soon out of sight on her way 
home. 

The place that Will was so fond 
of visiting was, I thought, a very 
pleasant one. It was at the edge 
of the woods. Stretching in front 
of the chair in which he sat was a 
beautiful meadow filled with white 
daisies and red clover-blossoms. 




THE MAGIC CHAIR 


175 



into which the bees were dipping for honey. 
At a short distance from him a large honey- 
suckle-vine, full of flowers that filled the air 
with their perfume, was climbing over some 
rocks, and I could see more than one beautiful 
humming-bird fluttering over it. 

As Will’s mother was now out of sight and 
hearing, the Prince, beckoning me to follow him, 
floated softly off the limb of the tree down to 
the arm of Will’s chair. It was evident that he 
made himself visible to the poor boy, for Will 
instantly looked up, much surprised. 

“ How do you feel to-day, my dear fellow? ” 
inquired Uno. 

It was a full minute before Will could answer, 
he was so astonished; but at last he managed 
to say, “ I am about the same as usual, thank 
you ; but who are you ? ” 

“ I am Prince of the Fairies, Will, and have 
known you for a long time.” 

'' And he is the dearest and best prince that 
ever lived. Will! ” I exclaimed. ” You may be 



176 


PRINCE UNO 


proud to have such a noble fellow for your 
friend.” 

To my surprise, Will did not look toward me, 
and evidently had not heard a word I had said. 

The Prince smiled, and, turning to me, bowed 
very low. 

"Thank you for the compliment,” said he, 
laughing ; " but you forget that your voice 
cannot be heard by mortal ears; even mine 
cannot unless I choose.” 

He turned once more to the boy. 

" Is not your chair a very uncomfortable one, 
my poor fellow? ” said he. 

"Yes,” answered Will, a painful look coming 
over his face as he spoke. "It is so straight 
and hard, and my poor back is so crooked, that 
it hurts me very much, especially by the time 
night comes. I am then very tired. I often 
wish I could lie down in the clover-blossoms 
yonder; they look so pleasant. But I must not 
complain of my chair, for my good, kind father 
spent many an evening making it for me when 
he was all tired out after a hard day’s work. 
So I let him think it ’s quite as comfortable as 
he meant it to be. Indeed, I ought to be very 
thankful for it, for many a poor lame boy has 
none at all.” 

"Well, my patient fellow,” said the Prince, 
" you have been so uncomplaining that you have 
made friends of the fairies, and especially of 
their King, and to-day he is going to give you 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


177 


a handsome present. He intends to give you 
a magic chair.” 

Will looked up as if he did not quite under- 
stand the Prince, who stepped to a cobweb 
tassel, which was hanging out of a cedar-bush 
near by, and gave it a gentle pull. I heard the 
distant ringing of the fairy bell, and in a mo- 
ment more a fairy servant stood before the 
Prince, and bowed low. 

“ Bring me the magic chair, Pepin,” said the 
Prince. 

The little servant bowed again, and de- 
parted. 

I think I was now quite as anxious as Will 
to see what kind of a chair a magic chair could 
be. I had not to wait long, for in another 
moment I saw some fairies coming toward us, 
rolling lightly in front of them a most beautiful 
and comfortable chair. It was of rosewood, 
with soft cushions of velvet, and had large 
wheels and broad arms. One of the arms was 
so large that it looked as if it might be a box. 
On the other were numbers of flat ivory buttons 
with letters printed on them. In front of the 
chair was a foot-rest which could be raised and 
lowered. The color of the velvet cushions was 
a delicate blue. From what I had seen of things 
in Fairyland, I knew that it would neither fade 
nor wear out. 

” There is a chair for you, my poor boy,” said 
the Prince, ” which will not hurt your back, and 


178 


PRINCE UNO 


which you will find to be very convenient in 
more respects than one.” 

Do you mean that this beautiful chair is 
really for me?” asked Will, as his pale face 
lighted up with smiles. 

“ It is for no one else,” answered the Prince, 
pleasantly, “ and I advise you to take posses- 
sion of it at once.” 

Poor Will proceeded to get slowly, and evi- 
dently with great pain, out of his old chair. I 
slipped off the arm of the chair to assist him, 
but was reminded, by finding myself no higher 
than his shoe, that I had been made too small 
to be of any use. I observed the Prince, how- 
ever, wave his hand toward Will, after which 
the poor fellow seemed to move more easily, 
and I concluded that Uno had the power of 
assisting him without touching him and without 
Will’s knowing it. 

Will was soon comfortably seated in the 
magic chair. Resting his hands on the broad 
arms, and placing his feet upon the foot-rest, 
he exclaimed, Oh, this is delightful ! It does 
not hurt my back in the least. How can I ever 
thank you, good fairy?” said he, turning to 
Uno, his face beaming with gratitude. What 
have I done to deserve such kindness? ” 

“You have been patient, my dear boy,” an- 
swered the Prince, “ and have borne your trial 
like a man, without complaining. But you have 
not seen the advantages of this chair yet ; let 
me explain them to you. 


THE. MAGIC CHAIR 


179 


' “ It will run,” he continued, '' of its own ac- 

cord, without being pushed by any one, and it 
can be made to go so swiftly that the fastest 
railroad train could not overtake it. You have 
only to touch this button marked ‘ R ’ to start 
it” — and he pressed upon a button which was 
upon the arm of the chair with the letter R 
printed upon it. In a moment the chair began 
to move, and although it was only running at a 
moderate rate, I had hard work to keep up with 
it. The Prince, observing this, motioned me to 
take a seat by the side of him on the arm of 
the chair, and I did so. We now began to move 
more rapidly. The springs were so easy and 
so perfectly adjusted that we passed over the 
largest stones and logs without a jolt, and at 
last, turning about, under the guidance of the 
Prince we came back swiftly to the place from 
which we had started. Poor Will was de- 
lighted. 

“Why, I can now go wherever I please,” 
said he, “ without troubling any one.” 

The Prince smiled. “ It will go up hill as 
well as down,” he said, “and across water as 
well as on land ; and this button marked ‘ S ’ 
will stop it whenever you wish. You have 
only to touch this button marked ‘ Boat,’ upon 
reaching the water, and the chair will immedi- 
ately change into a safe boat in which you can 
cross the widest river.” 

I myself was becoming as interested as poor 
Will, whose eyes fairly sparkled with delight. 


180 


PRINCE UNO 


Oh, was ever such a wonderful chair heard 
of! ” he exclaimed. 

“ This button,” continued the Prince, press- 
ing one on which I could read the word 
“Cover,” “you will find handy whenever it 
rains.” 

In a moment a cover of polished leather, like 
that of a carriage, spread out over the chair, 
with curtains which could be raised or lowered. 
The curtain which could be let fall in front was 
provided with small glass windows, through 
which Will could see how to guide the chair 
while thoroughly protected from a storm. The 
whole was so arranged as to be a shelter from 
the heat of the sun with the curtains rolled up 
on all sides, or as a complete protection against 



THE MAGIC CHAIR 


181 


rain by letting them down and fastening them, 
as occasion required. 

Why, that is as good as a house,” said 
Will. “ What will father and mother say ? ” 

“We will not inquire until you have seen 
more,” said the Prince. “ These three buttons 
are for breakfast, dinner, and tea; and as it is 
now time for dinner, I will press the button 
marked ‘ Dinner,’ and see what will happen.” 

In a moment the arm of the chair which, as 
I have stated, was large and square like a box 
underwent a curious change. The wooden sides 
were rolled up like shutters, showing through 
glass windows a little kitchen. In it was a range 
or stove, in which I could see a fire burning, 
and bustling about the room in the preparation 
of a meal were fairy cooks in white aprons and 
caps. From the pleasant odors which came 
from the kitchen when they lifted the covers 
from the pots on the fire and opened the oven 
doors, I felt sure the dinner was to be a good 
one. It was soon thoroughly cooked, and two 
little waiters came up-stairs out of a small door 
which opened out on the top of the arm, upon 
which they placed a small table. They quickly 
spread a fine white cloth and brought on the 
dishes, all of which were of the most beautiful 
china, I think, I had ever seen. They were of 
different colors and with gilt edges. Every- 
thing was as small as when I had taken dinner 
with the Prince in his palace. The knives and 


182 


PRINCE UNO 


forks were of silver and the spoons of gold. As 
soon as the table was laid, one of the tiny 
waiters bowed to Will, and asked him what he 
would have. The little chap rattled off the 
names of the different kinds of meat so fast that 
one could hardly understand him — '' Roast 
turkey, roast chicken, roast duck, roast mutton, 
ham or lamb or tongue!” 

Poor Will looked as if he thought he must be 
dreaming. 

The Prince seemed much amused, and re- 
minded him that the dinner would get cold if 
he did not decide quickly. 

'' Come, Will,” said he, here you are in your 
own house, at your own table, and don’t know 
what to eat. Try roast turkey.” 

The waiter started for the kitchen immedi- 
ately, and soon returned with a tempting-look- 
ing plate of turkey, both light and dark meat, 
which he set before Will. After much bus- 
tling about he brought up vegetables of all 
kinds. 

Poor Will could not understand it at all, but 
sat staring, first at the table, then at the waiter, 
and finally at the Prince himself, as if he could 
not believe his eyes. 

“ Well, I must say,” said Uno, laughing, you 
are very polite. Here you have an elegant 
dinner, and you have not yet invited me to dine 
with you ; but I see I must make myself at 
home or I will not get anything to eat.” 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


183 



He seated himself 
on a chair which the 
waiter had brought 
from the kitchen, and 
said : 

“ Waiter, bring me 
roast duck without 
any gravy ! ” 

In a moment it was 
placed before him, 
and, without further 
ceremony, he helped 
himself liberally to 
everything on the 
table,and commenced 
eating with a relish. 

“ Come, Will, get 
to work; taste it if 


you can’t believe it.” 

Thus urged, poor Will ventured to taste the 
food. My recollections of the meals I had had 
in Fairyland made me certain he had never 
tasted anything so good. A mouthful or two 
of the delicious dinner soon brought him to his 
senses, and he began at last to realize that he 
was awake and that it was all real. 

This is the most wonderful thing I ever 
heard of!” he exclaimed; ''and what is stran- 
gest of all is that, though everything is so small, 
whenever I put a mere taste in my mouth I 
seem to get just as much from one of these little 


184 


PRINCE UNO 


spoons as I do at home out of one of mother’s 
big ones. Is this delightful chair really to be 
mine? ” he inquired. 

All yours, Will ; and you can have supper at 
night, and breakfast in the morning, by merely 
touching the buttons I have shown you.” 

At this moment he observed me. I had been 
standing quietly by, watching them both in 
silent admiration. 

'' Uncle Frank, I declare you must excuse 
me!” he exclaimed. "‘You must be as hungry 
as Will and I, and must have some dinner at 
once. Here, waiter, bring a chair and take his 
order.” 

I preferred turkey with a small slice of ham 
as a relish, and it was soon placed before me. 
It was evident that the waiter saw me distinctly, 
though Will had neither seen me nor heard a 
word I had said. 

We had ice-cream for dessert, after which 
almonds and raisins were brought in, with some 
red apples about as large as currants. 

As soon as dinner was over the little waiters 
cleared the table and shut up the kitchen ; the 
little shutters were rolled back, and everything 
was as dark as before. 

Will leaned back in the chair, while tears of 
pleasure rolled down his cheeks. “ This is too 
good to believe! ” he exclaimed. “I am so 
afraid I shall somehow wake up and find it all 
a dream.” 







Ai^vVjc w 
rv<i?TV-^’'' '^x - 
















186 


PRINCE UNO 


” Let me give you a good pinch and show 
you that you are awake,” said the Prince, 
laughing. Now let me explain the rest of the 
buttons to you.” 

What, are there any more? ” asked Will. 

'*You will think so before I get through,” 
replied the Prince. ” When you wish to go to 
sleep at night, you can change the chair into a 
comfortable bed by touching this button.” 

In a moment the chair opened out into a 
comfortable, soft bed. 

How delightful ! ” exclaimed Will. Why, 
that is no trouble at all.” 

When you wish anything, no matter what 
it is, so long as it is anything you ought to 
have, you must press down this button ” — and 
he touched a button marked “X.” As he did 
so a little drawer opened ; in it were a slate and 
pencil. 

“ You have only to write the name of what 
you wish upon the slate,” said the Prince, and 
close the drawer. After waiting a moment 
you can open the drawer, and you will find 
then exactly the amount of money — neither 
more nor less than just enough — to purchase 
what you wish. You must not be unreasonable 
or foolish in your requests,” he continued, and 
if you find no money in the drawer, you may 
be sure that you have not asked wisely. Be 
very sure never to ask for money itself,” he 
added, for the love of money merely for the 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


187 


sake of possessing it, and not for what it will 
buy or the good it will do, is a very low and 
mean passion. 

And right here. Uncle Frank,” said the little 
fellow, turning to me, ” do you know, it always 
seems so strange to me that men who have 
enough to eat and wear, and every needed 
comfort, should be continually striving to heap 
up wealth, when all the money in the world can 
buy them no more. 

” If you ever get into trouble, Will, and need 
my help, you have only to pull this little bell- 
rope, and I shall come to you at once.” 

“ I shall want to see so kind a friend very 
often,” said Will, and fear I may trouble you 
too much.” 

“You must not ring for me unless you need 
me,” said the Prince, kindly but seriously, “ for 
I have much to do and little time to spare.” 

Will promised to be careful, and inquired, 
“ Are the little waiters and cooks always in the 
kitchen ? ” 

“ Not always,” answered the Prince, “ but 
you will always find them there when you need 
therri. One advantage about them is,” said he, 
smiling, “ that they will never charge you any 
wages.” 

“ I declare,” said Will, examining the chair 
with satisfaction, “ I would not change places, 
while I have this chair, with the strongest and 
healthiest boy in the world.” 


188 


PRINCE UNO 


The Prince 
seemed partic- 
ularly pleased 
at this, and 
looking over 
at me, smiled. 

What, not 
even to be well and strong again?” he asked. 

No ; I would rather have this splendid 
chair.” He seemed thoughtful for a moment, 
and then asked, Can I have my father and 
mother and little sister take their meals with 



'‘No,” replied the Prince, seriously; “no 
human being must ever see your little kitchen 
or your fairy servants ; you will have to eat by 
yourself.” 

“ Then I can never eat at all,” said Will, 
sadly. “ I could not be so selfish as to have 
such splendid food when those I love best are 
living on dry bread and cold water. You must 
not think me ungrateful, good fairy, if I give 
up my beautiful chair. I know you would not 
if you knew what a trial it is for me to go 
back to the hard, uncomfortable one in which 
you found me.” 

The poor boy was getting slowly and pain- 
fully out of the soft cushions to return to the 
chair his father had made for him. 

“ I am just as much obliged to you,” he con- 
tinued, “as if I accepted your splendid gift.” 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


189 


I looked at the Prince. A tear was in his 
eye, and he seemed to hesitate a moment as if 
to make sure that Will really intended to give 
up the chair. Then putting out his hand to 
prevent his leaving it, he said : “ Keep your 
chair, my poor boy ; you need not give it up. 
I felt sure you would not be so selfish as to 
live a life of ease and enjoyment when your 
good father and mother and little sister were 
poor and needy. I am pleased to discover your 
nobleness of heart. Keep the chair, and let 
them share its comforts with you. You must 
promise me, however, that no one else shall 
ever know of your kitchen.” 

Will was once more happy, and sank back in 
the soft cushions with a smiling face. “ You are 
so good,” he exclaimed, that it overcomes me.” 

The Prince himself seemed 
gratified, and said, “ We will 
now try a ride in the chair. 
Will, and see what it can 
do.” 

He motioned to me to 
take a seat upon one of the 
arms, and sprang lightly 
himself upon that contain- 
ing the buttons. We were 
no sooner seated than he 
touched the button marked 
‘‘ R,” and the chair com- 
menced to move. It ran 



190 


PRINCE UNO 


swiftly out of the woods and across the meadow, 
at one place jumping easily and lightly over quite 
a large stone, until we came to asteep hill, the sides 
of which were very rocky and almost perpendicu- 
lar. I expected to see the Prince stop the chair or 
change its course ; but he did not, and, to my 
surprise, it ran easily up the side of the hill, carry- 
ing us safely to the top. I certainly thought 
it the most wonderful chair I had ever heard of. 
We ran easily down the opposite side of the hill 
until we came to a railroad track. I could hear 
a train of cars coming in the distance, and won- 
dered if the Prince would cross the track in 
front of the engine or wait for the train to pass. 
We had no horses to be frightened, that was one 
comfort, I thought. To my surprise and alarm, 
he ran the chair right upon the track itself, and 
pressed down hard upon a button which I had 
not observed before, on which was marked 
R. R.” This, he explained, stood for rail- 
road. To my surprise, the wheels of the chair 
now adjusted themselves so as to fit the two 
iron rails of the track, and the chair commenced 
to run rapidly in the same direction as that in 
which the train behind us was coming. I began 
to get very nervous, feeling we would certainly 
be overtaken ; indeed, the locomotive soon came 
in sight, and the engineer commenced to ring 
the bell and blow the whistle. I was preparing 
to jump off when I happened to look at the 
Prince. He sat upon the arm of the chair, so 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


191 



calm and undisturbed 
that I decided to wait a 
moment longer. 

Looking coolly back- 
ward to see how far the 
train was behind us, he 
pressed the button still 
harder, and, to my aston- 
ishment, I perceived that 
the locomotive was not 
gaining upon us a single 
inch. The Prince smiled, 
and once more touched 
the button. The chair 
now fairly bounded for- 
ward ; faster and faster 
we went, until the train 

was out of sight behind 

us, and we swept around •>. 

iti rr»arl v':’- 


a curve in the road. 

There,” said the 
Prince ; ” I guess that 






engineer will not ring his bell or blow his old 


192 


PRINCE UNO 


whistle at me again. He has not steam enough 
in his boiler to overtake us; and having shown 
him what we can do, we will now run into the 
woods here, and see him pass by.” He pressed 
the button marked “R.” The chair jumped 
the track, and was soon rolling through the 
woods behind some thick cedar-bushes. Here 
he stopped the chair, and we could hear the 
train coming. It soon thundered by, going so 
fast that the ground fairly trembled. The en- 
gineer was leaning half-way out of the cab 
window, evidently looking for the wonderful 
chair that had run away so easily from his great 
locomotive ; and the expression of astonishment 
on his face as he passed was comical to behold. 

Will was delighted. Have I any hair left 
on my head? ” he exclaimed. 

^^Yes,” replied the Prince, smiling; ‘Ht is all 
there, but it needs a comb and brush badly.” 

After the train had passed we once more 
started, and ran swiftly and easily to the road 
leading toward Will’s home. We soon came in 
sight of the house, and observed Will’s father 
and his sister, a little girl about five years old, 
coming to meet him and bring him home. 

"‘You must not speak to me while they are 
by. Will,” said the Prince, “ or let them know 
I am with you. I am going home with you, 
for I want to see them eat supper at your ex- 
pense.” 

“ Why, they will see you easily enough with- 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


193 


out my telling them,” exclaimed Will, in sur- 
prise. 

“No; they will not,” answered the Prince. 
“ I shall be invisible to all except yourself.” 

Will seemed still more surprised at this infor- 
mation, but promised to obey Prince Uno’s 
request. 

By this time we had reached Will’s father 
and sister, and the chair stopped. 

His father was an elderly man, with slightly 
gray hair and an honest, good-natured face. 
His sister, whose name was May, was a chubby 
little girl with bright brown eyes and brown hair 
and rosy cheeks. They were both greatly 
astonished to see Will in his new chair. 

“ It is a magic chair,” said Will, his eyes 
brightening as he spoke. “ Lift May up to ride 
with me. Oh, father, it is a wonderful chair, and 
it will take me all night to explain it to you.” 

The Prince looked over at me from his arm 
of the chair, and winked in his pleasant way, 
evidently enjoying their surprise and the poor 
boy’s satisfaction, as, indeed, I did myself, im- 
mensely. It was doubly pleasant that we could 
see and hear all that was going on without being 
ourselves seen. 

“ Come, May,” said Will, “ and jump up here 
beside me, and I will give you a ride.” 

Her father assisted her into the chair, where 
she sat on the cushion beside Will, the chair 
being easily large enough for both. Once 


194 


PRINCE UNO 



comfortably seated, she folded her little plump 
hands complacently in her lap, and seemed as 
delighted as was Will himself when the chair 
commenced to roll easily and slowly along by 
the side of their father, who was, as may be 
supposed, greatly astonished, and asked Will 
where he had found it. 

“ The best fairy in the world gave it to me,” 
said Will ; and it has an umbrella-top, and a 
boat, and a kitchen, and dinner and breakfast 
and supper, and a bed, and a gold tassel, and a 
railroad button, and can beat a locomotive, and 
I cannot begin to tell you all!” 

Again the Prince winked at me, and laughed 
heartily but noiselessly. 

We were not long in reaching the house, and 
Will’s mother appeared at the door. To her 
surprise, the chair rolled easily up the stairs 
and into the kitchen. But what was the sur- 



THE MAGIC CHAIR 


195 


prise of all when Will asked them to fasten the 
door, and then, touching the Supper ” button, 
showed them the tiny kitchen, with its range 
and cooks and waiters and the table and dishes. 
Little May stood with her hands clasped behind 
her, looking through the windows into the 
kitchen, and watching every movement within. 
The dishes, knives, forks, and spoons were 
especially interesting to her. She supposed 
the waiters themselves to be dolls, and Will had 
hard work at first to keep her from taking them 
in her hands as they came up-stairs to set the 
table. They seemed to understand her mistake 
and to be greatly amused by it. She soon 
found out that she was not to touch them, and 
was content to stand quietly and look on with- 
out meddling. 

I will not take up your time or mine with 
telling how Will’s father and mother were de- 
lighted with the wonderful and princely gift, 
nor how at the supper-table little May could 
hardly keep her attention upon the food, so 
interested was she in examining all that she 
saw. It was a pleasant sight, and the Prince 
and I enjoyed it greatly. After supper Will 
explained to them the wonderful slate and 
drawer. 

“ We will try never to ask for anything foolish 
or unreasonable,” said his father. '' I am very 
well satisfied,” he continued, “ and need nothing 
myself, now that you are so happy and comfor- 


196 


PRINCE UNO 


table, my dear boy ; but your good mother is 
not strong, and I do not think it an unreason- 
able wish to ask for sufficient money to hire a 
servant to do the heavy work for her.” 

“You shall neither of you work any more,” 
said Will, “ for you have both worked hard all 
your lives, and I ought now to support you. 
Mother shall have a servant at once.” 

He pressed the button, and the drawer 
opened. “ Money to hire a servant,” he wrote 
upon the slate, and closed the drawer. 

When he opened it, sure enough, he found a 
month’s wages for a servant. 

“ Is n’t this splendid ! ” shouted Will. “ Money 
for a brand-new dress — you know you need one, 
mother.” 

He wrote the request, and again closed the 
drawer, and again he found money. 

“ I do not know how much money it requires, 
mother; is that enough?” he asked, handing 
her the amount. 

“ It is enough to buy me a nice muslin dress 
— just such a one as I need,” said his mother. 

“A muslin dress!” exclaimed Will; “that’s 
not half good enough for the best of mothers!” 
And he wrote again upon the slate a request for 
“ a splendid satin dress.” 

Again was the drawer opened, but this time 
there was no money. Will’s face turned pale. 

“ It is out of order,” he exclaimed in dismay, 
“ and will not work any more!” 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


197 


“ No,” said his mother ; ” that was a kind 
and well-meant wish, Willie, but not a wise one. 
What do I want with a satin dress, my dear 
boy?” 

” Sure enough,” said Will ; ” it was I who 
was out of order, 
after all, and not the 
chair.” 

The Prince looked 
at me, and laughed 
again quietly. 

” But, mother, I 
think a satin dress 
would be none too 
good for you, all the 
same,” said Will. 

“ Write to him for 
a doll for me,” said 
May, who had been 
watching very at- 
tentively everything 
that had passed. 

They all laughed 
heartily. 

” I wonder if that 
would be unreason- 
able? ” asked Will. 

” Why, no, Willie,” 
said May ; ” every 
little girl 'cept me 
has a doll.” 



198 


PRINCE UNO 


‘'So they do,” said Will; "well, we will try. 
The Prince is good-natured, and will not get 
angry if I make a mistake once in a while.” And 
he wrote upon the little slate : " A doll for May.” 

The little girl watched the drawer eagerly, 
clasping her dimpled hands together in her 
anxiety as to the result. I saw Prince Uno 
smile pleasantly, and stepping toward the 
drawer, touch it with his hand. He was evi- 
dently invisible to Will himself now, as well as 
to the rest, for I could tell by the expression on 
Will’s face that he did not see him. 

In a moment the drawer was opened. This 
time there was no money in it, but I was sur- 
prised to see that the drawer itself had grown 
larger, and in it was the most beautiful doll I 
think I have ever seen. It had long flaxen curls 
of real hair, and blue eyes that would open and 
shut. It was beautifully dressed, also, and in 
the drawer with it was a small trunk, having a 
lock and key, and filled with extra clothes. 

" Oh, but is n’t he a dear, good fairy, Willie ! ” 
exclaimed the happy little creature, clapping 
her hands in her delight. 

I thought so too, and nodded my head in 
approval as I looked over at the Prince, who 
seemed to enjoy May’s good opinion of him 
more than any compliment he had yet received. 

" You have not asked for anything for your- 
self, Will,” said his mother. 

" Oh, have I not everything in possessing the 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


199 


chair itself?” said Will. I cannot think of 
asking for anything more.” 

“ Well, then, my happy boy, it is time we 
were all going to bed. You will have to leave 
your chair down-stairs for the night. It is too 
heavy to carry up to your room.” 

'' Is it, though ? ” said Will. “ It will go up- 
stairs itself, and carry me with it!” In a mo- 
ment more he was rolling up the stairs to his 
room. 

Now, mother,” he exclaimed, as soon as he 
had reached his room, see what a splendid bed 
it will make!” He touched the button. It 
opened out at once, and needed only the sheets 
and coverlet, which his mother soon brought, 
to make him comfortable for the night. 

Will’s face wore an anxious expression as 
his mother turned to kiss him good night. 

Mother, I am so worried,” he said. 

''What are you worried about, my boy?” 

" I am afraid it is all a dream, mother, and 
that in the morning I shall wake and find my 
beautiful chair gone. Are you sure you are 
awake, mother?” 

"Yes, my boy,” said she, smiling cheerily. 
" I am sure I am awake, and that it is not a 
dream, though it is all very wonderful. I feel 
certain you will find the chair all right in the 
morning.” 

" I wish I could keep awake and watch it,” 
said Will. 


200 


PRINCE UNO 



The Prince, who had, 1 think, been perfectly 
invisible to Will from the moment he had entered 
the house, now stepped lightly upon the boy’s 
shoulder, and whispered something in his ear. 
Will smiled. “You are right, mother; it will 
be here in the morning, and it is not all a 
dream.” 

The Prince beckoned to me to follow him. 
Tears stood in his eyes, but they were not tears 
of sadness. He led the way silently down-stairs 
and out of the house, and for a long distance on 
our road through the air, as we floated side by 
side on our way home, he spoke not a word. 

At last I spoke to him: “You have made 
that poor boy happy for the rest of his life, my 
dear Prince.” 


THE MAGIC CHAIR 


201 


“ Did I not tell you, Uncle Frank, that to do 
good always makes one happy?” 

”You did indeed,” I replied; “but I never 
understood it so well as now.” 

We floated on in silence for some distance 
farther, and at last came in sight of my house. 

“ You will spend the night with me, I am 
sure, dear Uno.” 

“ No ; I cannot. Uncle Frank. Many thanks 
to you, all the same. Ino would miss me.” 

“ She knows you went with me,” I urged, 
“ and will understand it. I will give you a 
good bed, and promise that you shall not be 
disturbed in the night, either.” I looked slyly 
at him and laughed. 

He smiled good-naturedly. “You would 
treat me better than I treat you, I have no 
doubt,” said he. “You would find, however, 
that, small as I am, you could not move me as 
easily as I did you. But I must say good night. 
Come soon to Fairyland, my dear fellow; we 
are always glad to see you.” 

“ Good night, dear Prince, and best of fairies,” 
I replied. And before the sound of the last 
word had died away in the air he was gone. 

I floated softly down to the door of my house, 
made myself large and visible, and entered with 
my night-key. I went quietly to my room, and 
sat for some time in deep thought, recalling all 
the events of a delightful day .spent with the 
most delightful being I had ever known. 











He waved his scepter in the air, 

He looked around and calmly spoked^ 

The Culprit Fay. 



THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY 
BOY 

■ SPENT the following day on a trip 

■I with the Prince, and will at some 
H future time, possibly, tell you the 

Hi story of it. The day after, and 

HI each of the intervening days be- 
==^ fore that on which I was to re- 
turn to Weeboro to get the net, I spent in 
watching the tree in which the Wood-sprite had 
concealed the fairy boy. 

Early on the morning of the day on which 
the net was to be finished, I hurried to the 
seaside wood and blew upon the fairy horn. 
Prince Uno was quickly at my side. We went 
205 


206 


PRINCE UNO 


together to Fairyland. I parted with him at 
the palace, after bidding him keep a good heart, 
and assuring him that I felt certain that I would 
find his boy much sooner than he anticipated. 

I started for Weeboro, and was not long in 
reaching the city. As might have been expected, 
being anxious, I went immediately to the mill. 
To my dismay, I found it locked and empty, 
and not a sign of the net could I see through 
the windows. My heart sank within me. Here 
it was only the day before that on which I 
should need it, and evidently not a thing had 
been done toward finishing it. Almost overcome 
with anxiety and disappointment, I hurried to 
the palace of King Leo. He was just coming 
down the steps, and, as he saw me, held out 
both hands and greeted me cordially. 

My dear, dear King,” I exclaimed impa- 
tiently, “ the day has come, and the net is not 
finished!” 

I beg to differ with you I ” he replied. It 
is all ready and waiting for you.” 

Oh,” said I, much relieved, then you have 
taken it out of the mill? ” 

“ No ; it is in the mill, and we locked the 
doors, that nothing might happen to it.” 

Impossible,” I replied, ” for just this mo- 
ment I looked in through the windows, and 
could see not a sign of it.” 

He looked at me in surprise. ” Why, what 
did you order?” he exclaimed. 


THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 207 


” An invisible net,” I replied, somewhat an- 
noyed. 

” Precisely,” said he ; ” and if it was to be an 
invisible net, pray tell me how you could ex- 
pect to see it by looking through the windows ? ” 

Sure enough. How stupid I had been! I 
drew a long breath of relief. 

The King laughed heartily at me, and I was so 
gratified to find that the net was ready that I 
joined him cheerfully in laughing at my stupid 
blunder. 

Let us go to the mill and see it,” said he, at 

last. 

“ I thought it was invisible and could not be 
seen,” said I, turning upon him quickly, for it 
was now my turn to laugh. ” You see, it is 
very easy, my dear Leo, to make mistakes.” 

Yes, Uncle Frank,” said he, good-naturedly ; 
“ it shows that we should not be too ready to 
ridicule the mistakes of others, remembering 
that our own turn may come all too soon.” 

In my anxiety to find the net I had forgotten 
to make myself small. I now took a drink from 
my bottle, with the usual effect, and we were 
soon walking, arm in arm, to the mill. 

The King unlocked the door, and we entered 
the building. I could tell, by feeling, that the net 
was exactly what I required for my purpose, and 
I was inexpressibly relieved. In my delight, I 
turned to thank him, from the bottom of my 
heart, for his faithful performance of the promise. 


/ 


% 








THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 209 

You shall have the greater satisfaction, 
however, of knowing by to-morrow, my dear 
Leo, that you have been the means of restoring 
to our dear Prince his bright little boy." 

He was delighted, and shook my hand 
warmly. " How kind of you to say so. Uncle 
Frank! The moment that I realize it will be 
the happiest of my life. When do you com- 
mence the task? " 

" I can do nothing until to-morrow morning," 
I replied. 

“ Then you can spend the whole of to-day 
with me, and I will consider it a great treat. I 
will see that you have a pleasant time. And 
now, to begin, what would you like to do? " 

I did not know, but proposed a walk ; we set 
out, arm in arm. 

" By the way, what have you done with my 
kitten?" I inquired. 

" Oh, it is on exhibition at a circus which is 
now in town. Would you like to see it? They 
have quite a menagerie of wild animals." 

I was pleased with the suggestion, and we 
started immediately for the tent — a large one 
with three poles, on each of which a flag was 
flying. It was at some distance up the street 
on which we were walking. A walk of half an 
hour brought us to the door, however, where I 
found we had nothing to pay, as the King had 
the right to enter, free of charge, to all of the 
shows which came to town, and to take any of 


210 


PRINCE UNO 


his friends with him. Once inside the tent, I 
saw a large ring, covered with sawdust, in which 
the performance had already commenced. 
Ranged around the ring were seats, rising one 
above the other almost to the top of the tent. 
Nearly every seat was occupied, the little people 
having come in crowds to see the circus, which 
was an unusually good one. I enjoyed it all 
very much. The horses were handsome and 
well trained, and many of the actors were very 
expert. A band of music was playing on a 
platform near the entrance. I was much amused 
at some small boys who were trying to steal in 
under the canvas. They had succeeded in get- 
ting about half-Avay under when one of the men 
connected with the circus observed them, and 
creeping softly up behind them, with a whip in 
his hand, he laid it over them so smartly that 
they were not long in scrambling back again to 
the outside of the tent. 

We had been looking quietly at the perform- 
ance for some minutes when a loud cry arose 
at the opposite side of the ring, where the wild 
beasts were kept. The greatest confusion fol- 
lowed. People from that side of the circus came 
rushing past us with pale and frightened faces. 

I inquired of one after the other what was the 
matter ; but so great was their fright that they 
hurried by without answering. At last I could 
distinguish cries of The lion is loose! the lion 
is loose!” 


THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 211 




The King, who had started to his feet upon 
hearing this cry, became greatly alarmed. 

“ Oh, Uncle Frank, my wife and baby are 
here somewhere; help me to find them!” 

I thought of my powders. “ I will first find 
the lion, my dear Leo, as the quickest way of 
protecting them ” — and I swallowed a powder. 

I rose rapidly to the top of the tent, and, 
finding it too low for my great height, took 
hold of the central pole, raising it off the 
ground, with the entire canvas, like a 
great umbrella. I held it 
easily in my left 
hand. 


212 


PRINCE UNO 


I then laid it carefully upon the ground while I 
looked about for the lion. It was not difficult 
to find him, for he was now roaring with all his 
might. I discovered him just in time; for he 
had, with one blow of his great paw, struck 
down a man, and was standing over him with 
one foot upon his breast, looking from one side 
to the other, while his tail lashed his sides in his 
fury. I caught him quickly by the back of his 
neck between my thumb and forefinger, very 
much to the relief of the man, who, fortunately, 
was not injured, and who was, you may be sure, 
very grateful to me for saving his life. The lion 
was a splendid little fellow, very savage, with 
a black mane, and exceedingly strong for so 
small a creature. I held him without difficulty, 
however, until his keeper had repaired the cage, 
when I placed him inside and fastened the door. 
It was amusing to observe the effect upon him. 
From being so angry and dangerous as he had 
seemed a moment before, he now appeared to 
be thoroughly cowed, and seemed mortified at 
having been so easily captured. Much to the 
amusement of the little people, who now 
crowded about the cage, he crept, with his tail 
between his legs, into one corner, and, lying 
quietly down with his face to the wall, did not 
show himself again. I could not help laughing 
at him myself. 

The elephant now attracted my attention. 
He was a plump, fat fellow about as large as a 


THE EE CO FEE V OF THE FAIEY BOY 213 



young pig. Much to the surprise of the little 
people, I picked him up easily by placing one 
hand under his stomach. All of his efforts to 
get away were useless, though he moved his 
chubby legs awkwardly and fairly snorted his 
displeasure, until, twining his trunk about one 
of my fingers, he commenced to tug at it with 
so much strength that I began to fear he would 
actually pull it out of joint. I was forced to 
put him down again, and spank him soundly, 
before he would let go. This performance 
greatly amused the small boys standing about. 
I thought they would laugh their little heads 
off. Some of them, in their merriment, rolled 
over and over on the sawdust, while one diminu- 
tive newsboy, taking his position in front of the 
elephant, said, “ Aha ! old fellow, how do you 
like that? Did n’t that remind you of your 


214 


PRINCE UNO 


mother? ” at which suggestion I could not help 
laughing heartily myself. 

The King now came to where I was standing. 
It seems he had found the Queen among the 
audience, in a nervous state of mind. Although 
much frightened at the first alarm of the escape 
of the lion, however, she had felt instantly re- 
lieved when she saw my huge form rise to the 
top of the tent, knowing that I would soon 
master him as I had conquered the tiger. 

It seems strangely fortunate. Uncle Frank,” 
said King Leo, ” that you somehow always hap- 
pen to be at hand when we most need you.” 

It certainly did seem somewhat strange that 
whenever of late they had been exposed to peril 
I had opportunely appeared to save them from 
danger. 

I was now quite interested in examining the 
other animals of the menagerie, and especially 
the smaller ones. The monkeys particularly 
amused me greatly with their tricks and comical 
little faces. After seeing all there was of in- 
terest in the collection, including the tiger, which 
was regarded by everybody as a great curiosity, 
I was about leaving with King Leo and the 
Queen when the manager of the circus came to 
where I was standing, and desired to speak with 
me. I reached down carefully, and lifted him 
up to a level with my face, so that he could 
talk more easily to me. He then said he hoped 
I would be good enough to raise the tent again 


THE EE CO FEE Y OF THE FAIEY BOY 215 

for him. He suggested that it would be a very 
easy thing for me to do, and that they would 
then be able to keep their engagements accord- 
ing to the handbills, and give an entertainment 
that evening. He urged that it would be a 
serious disappointment to the people if he was 
prevented from doing so, as well as a great 
pecuniary loss to him. I good-naturedly con- 
sented to help him, and stepping to the tent- 
pole, I lifted it easily to its place ; then, by 
standing outside, I held it in position by reach- 
ing over the top of the tent, while they fastened 
the cords below. The manager was profuse in 
his thanks, and his little troupe assembled to 
give me three cheers. 

I now took a swallow from my bottle in order 
to grow small, and, in company with the King, 
started for his palace, the Queen having already 
preceded us in her carriage. We had not gone 
far before we met crowds of people hurrying 
from the city toward the circus to learn more 
about the escape of the lion. Many of them 
were anxious parents who had children, in 
charge of nurses, at the show, and were natu- 
rally alarmed. Indeed, the most extravagant 
reports had been circulated by mischievous per- 
sons, to the effect that many lives had been lost. 
We quieted their fears, and they seemed greatly 
relieved. We had not gone more than a few 
steps farther before we met some newsboys call- 
ing out extras ” of their little newspapers. 


216 


PRINCE UNO 



'' Here you air — extree ! ” 
shouted one little ragged fel- 
low, running toward us. “ Es- 
cape of the wild beasts at the 
circus! Great loss of life! !” 

“This is too bad,” said King 
Leo. “ Here, boy ; how many 
papers have you ? ” 

The boy told him. 

“ Well, I will buy them all 
of you.” 

And he actually paid for the 
whole lot rather than have any 
more of them sold to frighten 
people. I thought 
it very 


THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 217 


generous of him to pay the boy for them, when, 
as King, he clearly had the right to forbid his 
selling them. 

'' That would be punishing the boy, who is 
not to blame,” said he. “ But I will step into 
the printing-office, and give the publishers a 
piece of my mind, when I have spare time. 

“ Some of our newspaper editors,” he con- 
tinued, ” seem to have no principle whatever. 
They do not hesitate to publish the most im- 
probable and sensational reports in order to sell 
a few papers. When I use my authority in the 
matter, they rant and rail about such nonsense 
as the ^ liberty of the press,’ until I feel like 
kicking them.” 

By this time we had reached the palace, and 
found the Queen at the door waiting for us. 
She insisted on my staying to dinner. As I 
was quite hungry, I consented to do so. I 
found it a most enjoyable meal, and elegantly 
served. After dinner the Queen asked to be 
excused while she looked after her baby, and 
King Leo invited me to his library. Here I 
spent the afternoon very pleasantly and profit- 
ably, listening to his wise plans for improving 
his kingdom. 

At last the hour approached for me to start 
for home with the invisible net. King Leo 
called the Queen, who came with her beautiful 
baby to take leave of me. After kissing the 
baby — it was as sweet as a rosebud — and prom- 


218 


PRINCE UNO 



ising to come soon again to pay them a visit, I 
set out for the mill in company with King Leo. 

I was surprised to find that the net was so 
light that even in my present small size I could 
lift it easily. After I had made myself large, I 
placed it carefully on my shoulder, and could 
scarcely feel its weight. It was very large, 
however, and formed quite a bundle on my 
great shoulder. 

I now bade the King good-by, with many 
thanks for his attention to the matter, and 
started on my way for Prince Uno’s palace. 

And now my work seemed nearly done. One 


THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 219 



day more, and I would have 
recovered the dear boy and re- 
stored him to the heartbroken 
little mother. I stepped lightly 
and proudly over the ground 
with my valuable burden, and 
soon stood in front of the pal- 
ace. I hesitated for a moment, 
wondering what to do with the net, when my 
eye rested on the roof of the palace itself. It 
seemed a convenient and safe place for the 
net, and lifting it carefully from my shoulder, 
I deposited it there. I now made myself 
small, and entered the palace. Prince Uno 
and his wife were overjoyed to see me. The 
Princess looked anxiously at me, as if inquiring 
if I had news, good or bad, for her. 

Not quite yet, my lovely Ino, not quite 
yet ! ” I said gaily ; but hopes are brightening, 
and I am very near the end.” 

Oh, you are a good, kind Uncle Frank to 
say so! ” she exclaimed, taking my hand in both 


220 


PRINCE UNO 


of hers, '' and I love you dearly for your un- 
selfish efforts.” 

She was so earnest and grateful that it seemed 
as if I could have laid down my very life for her 
if it would have restored her bright boy to her 
at that moment. 

We all had tea together. After a pleasant 
evening spent in the parlor, the time to retire 
arrived. I was shown to my room by the Prince, 
as before. Instead of bidding him good night, 
I called him in, and closed the door. 

'' My dear Uno,” I said earnestly, “ I have 
at last reached a most important point in my 



THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 221 


plans, and by to-morrow night expect to have 
your boy or never to see you again. Every- 
thing depends on the next twenty-four hours, 
and I need your assistance.” 

” Oh, need I say that I am all yours, dear 
Uncle Frank?” he exclaimed earnestly. 

I continued : ” Upon the roof of this palace, 
just above the room in which we are now stand- 
ing, is a large net which is invisible. Everything 
depends upon my having that net to-morrow. 
To-night, when you move me, it must be taken 
to my room, so that I can have it in the morn- 
ing. Be very sure that it is carefully handled.” 

” Rely upon me,” said he ; ” you shall find it 
in your room in the morning. But oh, can I not 
go with you ? Think carefully before you de- 
cide, Uncle Frank. Remember, I may be able 
to assist you.” 

“ No,” I answered ; ” I do not wish any help.” 

While I felt that he would be of great assis- 
tance to me, the pride I felt in accomplishing my 
task all alone was so great that I decided to de- 
cline his help. 

Do not be too sure of not needing me, my 
dear friend,” he said earnestly. “You do not 
know my power. At any rate, promise me,” 
said he, seeing the resolution in my face, “ that 
you will call me with the horn I gave you if 
you do need me.” 

“I promise,” said I, “faithfully. In the mean 
time be hopeful, my dear Uno, for I now feel 


222 


PRINCE UNO 


very sure you will see your long-lost boy by 
to-morrow night.” 

” Oh, may it only prove true ! ” he exclaimed. 
“ I cannot stand this terrible strain much longer.” 

I held out my hand to him. ” I must say 
good night, dear Prince. Do not, for your life, 
forget the net.” 

Oh, do not fear it,” he answered. “ How 
could I forget it? ” 

He closed the door and was gone. I had 
some misgivings as to the wisdom of dispensing 
with his powerful aid in so important a task as 
was now before me, but my pride was too great 
for me to ask his assistance. I soon got into 
the little bed, and was sound asleep probably 
before many minutes had passed. 

As before, I was moved in my sleep, and 
woke in the morning in my own room at home. 
So great was my anxiety for the safety of the 
net that I could do nothing until I had searched 
for it by feeling about the room ; for I could not, 
of course, see it. It was some time before I 
found it — not until I had spent fully half an 
hour in the search, and grown very much wor- 
ried. Then I at last stumbled headlong over 
it. The Prince, in his anxiety, had left it in a 
heap in the very middle of the floor, for fear I 
might not discover it, whereas I had been feel- 
ing around the sides of the room for it. 

I dressed with feverish haste, and could eat 
no breakfast, so great was my desire to reach 


THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 223 


the woods. I buckled the sword of King Vim 
to my side. I examined closely to see that I 
had all of my valuables — the powder to make 
the Wood-sprites visible, the flask to make me 
invisible, the powders to make me large, the 
bottle to make me small, the beautiful pearl 
horn, and the fairy scepter ; all — I had them all. 
Now for the net itself. I soon had it on my 
shoulder and was on my way to the prison 
tree. Over the logs and rocks, through bushes 
which scratched my face in my eager haste, up 
hill and down dale, I walked as if on air. The 
work of a lifetime seemed about to end in suc- 
cess or failure. I saw nothing, heard nothing, 
felt nothing, in my terrible anxiety. Was I to 
recover the boy at last? was my only thought, 
and to be able to restore him to the dearest 
friends I had in all the world my only hope. 
With this thought and this hope I walked miles 
without fatigue, and was at last in sight of the 
prison tree. Now to go softly, and carefully 
spread the net! To spread the net? It was 
gone ! I had lost it ! I stood still in the agony 
of that terrible discovery, and could not move. 
My heart almost ceased to beat. I had lost 
the net — the invisible net on which everything 
depended! In my haste and anxiety it had 
fallen from my shoulder without my noticing it. 
There was no time to lose ; in my very despair 
I realized and felt this, and that I must imme- 
diately retrace my steps and try to find it. And 


224 


PRINCE UNO 



now my case seemed 
well-nigh hopeless. I 
had come so rapidly and 
anxiously that I could 
not tell by what road 
I had reached the place 
where I was standing. 

But danger sharpens 
one’s wits. I examined the leaves to see where 
my feet had pressed them, the moss upon the 
stones to see where I had crushed it ; and so for 
weary miles I patiently retraced my way, feeling 
carefully with my hands for the lost net. Pa- 
tience is seldom without its reward. Just as I 
was about to give up the search as a hopeless 
one, and just as I had resolved to try to catch 
the Sprites without the net, — knowing that I 
must be at the tree by four o’clock or it would 
be too late, — I found it ! Who can imagine my 



THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 225 



feelings or appreciate 
my delight ? It was all 
safe, just as it had fallen 
from my shoulder. I 
looked at my watch. It 
was nearly two o’clock, 
and I yet had time. 

Placing the net once 
more upon my shoulder, I started for the tree, 
this time without a thought but for its safety. 
At last I came again within sight of the tree, and, 
putting down the net, I drew out the little flask 
to make me invisible. Never had its delightful 
perfume smelled so sweet. I screwed the top 
carefully on, and replaced it in my pocket. For 
the last time I felt for the bottle, the powders, 
the fairy scepter, and the horn. They were all 
safe. Picking up the net once more, I set out 
for the tree. None but fairy eyes, I am sure, 


226 


PRINCE UNO 


could now have seen the invisible net on the 
shoulder of an invisible man creeping cautiously 
and noiselessly through the woods to the prison 
tree. Could it be possible that I was at last at 
the place? All was quiet, and it lacked a full 
half-hour to four o’clock. I commenced to 
arrange my net. I spread it carefully around 
the tree, leaving only a small opening at the 
path by which the Wood-sprites would come. 
I adjusted the ropes by which I could close this 
opening so soon as I felt sure of their being 
inside the net. Having arranged everything 
carefully, I took my position in the bushes 
where I had watched before. 

How slowly, to my anxious heart, the mo- 
ments passed! Did I hear a sound? Yes; 
they were coming! Nearer and nearer! At 
last they were within a few feet of me, talking 
earnestly. My heart was now beating so loudly 
that it seemed as if they must hear it and dis- 
cover my presence ; in my excitement, I actually 
tried to hold it quiet with my hand. They 
were passing me now, and were within the circle 
of the net and on their way into the tree. I 
cautiously pulled the cords to close the opening 
of the net, and knew that when they should 
come out with the boy I should have them safe. 
I had not long to wait. 

“Oh, Uncle Frank, is that you? Oh, help 
me, or I am lost!” 

I looked quickly at the opening of the tree. 


THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 227 


and saw the beautiful boy struggling to escape 
from invisible hands. I had forgotten that I 
should be visible to his bright fairy eyes; and 
quickly putting my finger to my lips as a signal 
for him to be quiet, I drew the net tightly to- 
gether, and had all three, the two Wood-sprites 
and the fairy boy, secure. 

Now for the powder! I sprinkled it on the 
place where they were, and in an instant could 
see the two Sprites plainly. They were ugly- 
looking fellows. Unfortunately, in my haste, 
however, I had spilled some of the powder 
on myself, and I, too, was now visible. The 
Wood-sprites saw their danger. One of them 
placed something quickly to his mouth, and 
blew a shrill whistle which sounded far and 
wide through the woods. In an instant I was 
struggling with a hundred unseen hands, and 
the Wood-sprites were free! I had forgotten 
— what I ought to have remembered — that the 
Wood-sprites were almost as many in number 
as the Fairies themselves. 

Seize the Prince’s horn! Take the horn 
away from him!” shouted the Sprite. 

It was their Chief I had caught in my net, and 
before I could grasp the fairy horn it was gone. 
Oh, if I had only consented to let the Prince ac- 
company me! Why had I been so foolish? 

“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed the Wood-sprite 
Chieftain at my discomfiture. “ Bind him 


228 


PRINCE UNO 


I felt that I was being tied, but I seized the 
sword of King Vim, and in one movement of 
its bright blade cut every cord. I was free 
once more. 

" Rust his sword!” shouted the Sprite. 

They had strange power, for the beautiful 
sword of King Vim almost fell to pieces in my 
hand and was utterly useless. Again a hundred 
unseen hands pulled me down. 

‘'The bottle!” shouted the Wood-sprite. 
“ Empty it down his throat and make him 
small. We will put both him and the boy in 
the prison tree, and keep them there!” 

The little boy seemed to lose all heart now. 

“ Oh, Uncle Frank, why did you lose the 
fairy horn?” he exclaimed. “One note on 
that would have brought my father, their King 
and master!” 

I made one last desperate but hopeless effort 
to get free. In the struggle something fell from 
my bosom, and shone brightly in the sunlight. 
It was the royal scepter. Alas! I had forgot- 
ten all about that too until now, when it was 
too late to avail myself of its power. But no ; 
the fairy boy had seen and recognized it when 
it fell. With one spring he reached it, and in 
an instant it was flashing in his hand. What a 
change came over him in that one short mo- 
ment ! I saw before me no longer a frightened, 
trembling child, but the proud front and face of 
the King of the Fairies, of Beast and Bird, of 


THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 229 


Fish and Insect, of Wood-nymph and Wood- 
sprite ! 

How grand and beautiful he looked! His 
smile was full of courage now, and conscious 
power. And the Wood-sprites — where were 
they? With bowed head and bended knee, 
they were pleading for pardon at his feet. 
Everything was changed. 

** I forgive all except your Chief and his 
brother, who have been so cruel to me. They 
must go before my royal father for judgment. 
Untie Uncle Frank this instant.” 

A hundred trembling hands untied the cords 
which bound me, and helped me to rise. It 
seemed like a dream. I had come to save the 
fairy boy, and he had saved me. He turned to 
the Wood-sprites. 

” Use the same cords to bind your Chief and 
his cruel brother!” 

In an instant it was done. 

“ Now go to your homes. A better chief 
will be appointed to rule over you.” 

I could hear their departure, like the rus- 
tling of many leaves, growing fainter and fainter 
in the distance, until I knew that there was 
no longer any one near us but the two pris- 
oners. 

Walk on before us ! ” said the Prince, sternly, 
to them. ” This day you appear before the 
High Court of Fairyland to answer for your 
treason! ” 



mMm 













THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY ROY 231 


With pale faces and trembling limbs they 
obeyed him. 

I whispered to the proud boy, Oh, be care- 
ful not to lose your hold of the scepter, my 
dear Prince ! ” 

He smiled pleasantly. ” There is no longer 
any danger. Uncle Frank; having once touched 
it, I am now their King. It would make no dif- 
ference now even if I should lose it, if that were 
possible. But how can I repay you for your 
patient search for me ? I have seen you every 
day ; and oh, it made my poor heart lighter to 
know that you were looking for me and had 
found the tree! You are surprised that I know 
you ; but I have seen you many times in your 
own house at home before I was stolen, and I 
saw you every day through the bark of the tree 
in which I was imprisoned. Oh, you have been 
so faithful I ” 

“ And so foolish,” I replied. 

You did your best, and did it well,” he said. 

But how did you leave my beautiful mother? ” 

“ Very anxious about her boy,” I answered. 

“ I warrant it,” he said gaily. We must be 
careful how we break the news to her. You 
must help me. Uncle Frank.” 

“ I have been worrying about that same task 
for some time,” I answered. We must be 
very careful how we manage it.” 

“ First of all,” said he, smiling, you must 
curl my hair.” 


232 


PRINCE UNO 


''Curl your hair!” I exclaimed. "I can 
never curl your hair.” 

'' Oh, yes, you can, if I show you how. You 
have only to brush it over your finger as mother 
does.” 

I looked at his tiny head, and held out one 
of my immense fingers. 

He laughed heartily. '' Why, you might as 
well try to curl it over a log!” he exclaimed. 
''You must have something smaller than that.” 

He was a witty little chap, and had won my 
heart already with his pleasant ways and merry 
speeches. 

"I have it!” I answered. I cut a round 
twig, about the size of a match, from a bush 
near us. 

"Yes, that will do,” said he. "Now for a 
brush.” 

We were standing near a mullen-stock. I 
quietly cut a narrow slip from one of its velvety 
leaves, and fastened it around a small stick with 
the plush side out. It made for the purpose 
an admirable brush. Sitting down upon a log, 
and with the Prince standing upon my knee, I 
now carefully brushed the beautiful curls over 
the twig, until they looked almost as handsome 
as when I had seen them in the picture. 

" Now for a looking-glass,” I said, " in which 
to see yourself.” 

" I can see myself in your eye,” said he, " if 
you bend your head.” 


THE EE CO VET Y OF THE FAIRY BOY 233 


I laughed at the idea, and bent my head as 
requested. 

“ Yes, that will do,” said he, critically. ” Now 
for home. I will ride on your shoulder.” 

He floated easily, apparently without effort, 
to my shoulder. Preceded by the two Wood- 
sprites, we set out for Fairyland. We were not 
long in reaching the great stone cover to the 
staircase. I was 
about to lift it as 
usual, when, to my 
surprise, the little 
Princegently waved 
the scepter over it, 
and it opened slowly 
of its own accord, 
showing the steps 
below. 

“ Why, you are 
stronger than your 
royal father! ” I ex- 
claimed. 

“How so?” he 
asked. 

“ Why, I always had to lift the stone for him.” 

“ And did you suppose he could not open it 
for himself?” he exclaimed. 

“ Certainly I did,” I answered. “ He told 
me to open it.” 

He laughed long and merrily. 

“ Well, I must say you are smart. Uncle 



234 


PRINCE UNO 


Frank. How did you suppose he got into Fairy- 
land when you were not with him to give him 
your precious help? ” 

Sure enough,” said I. “ I did not think of 
that. How could I have been so stupid ! ” 

Well, well,” said the little fellow, evidently 
much amused ; “ father has been playing his jokes 
upon you, my dear Uncle Frank, and has been 
enjoying it, I warrant. I must help you to pay 
him back, and take your part now that you have 
taken mine.” 

He turned to the two Wood-sprites. “You 
must go down first,” he said sternly, and with 
great dignity. 

They came immediately to the staircase and 
stepped down before us. At the bottom of the 
steps we saw several fairies. The Prince called 
them to him, and gave the Wood-sprites into 
their charge. “ Keep them in close confinement 
until I send for them,” said he. 

The fairies seemed overjoyed at finding their 
little Prince restored to them. They obeyed 
him without question, and hustled the rascally 
Wood-sprites off without ceremony. 

“ And now to meet mother ! You must carry 
me in your pocket. Uncle Frank, while you 
break the news gently to her.” 

It was a good suggestion. I placed him in 
my great coat pocket, and started at once for 
the palace, anxious and worried as to how I 
should perform so difficult a task. The beauti- 


THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 235 



ful little mother was on the palace steps waiting 
to hear any news I might bring. I took a seat 
upon the ground at the foot of the steps, in 
order to speak more easily with her. 

“ Oh, Uncle Frank ! ’’ she exclaimed. '' Have 
you any news? ” 

“Yes, dear Princess, I am sure now of suc- 
cess. I have found out at last where your 
bright boy is, and I shall soon bring him to 


236 


PRINCE UNO 


Yes, I have seen him, and so shall you very 
soon.” 

“ I could kiss your dear, good face for that 
kind word. Uncle Frank,” she exclaimed; ” but 
oh, if you fail now, my heart will break!” 

” I shall not fail — be sure of that, dear Prin- 
cess. One thing only worries me.” 

“Tell me what it is!” she exclaimed anx- 
iously. 

“ It is, my dear friend, that the bright boy’s 
mother will forget herself, and not prepare her- 
self to meet him.” 

She placed both hands upon her heart as if in 
pain. 

“ Uncle Frank, you have found him! I see 
it in your face ! Do not deceive me any longer ! 
Is he well? ” 

“ He is well and safe, my dear Princess.” 

“ Then bring him to me at once ; oh, I will 
control myself!” 

“ Suppose I should say he was near you now, 
little mother, and that in a few minutes you 
will see him ! ” 

“ Oh, bring him to me, or I shall die! ” 

“Then don’t die, mother,” shouted the little 
fellow in my pocket, “ for I am here ! ” 

Her face grew paler, and I feared she was 
about to faint; but she did not. I think the 
very uncertainty as to where he was, and her 
efforts to find him, kept her from giving way, 
and broke the news to her more gently and 


THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 237 



gradually than I could possibly have done my- 
self. I soon liberated him, and in an instant 
the little fellow was pressed to her bosom, and 
her beautiful hair was mingling with his own 
fair curls. The lost was found, and my work 
was done ! 

I was very weak now, and felt my own strength 
giving way. It was Uncle Frank who was faint- 
ing — fainting from fatigue, from anxiety, and 
from happiness. I woke to find little people 
hurrying to and fro around me, to smell de- 
lightful and refreshing perfumes, and to hear 
my name pronounced by many little lips. 

“ Poor, dear Uncle Frank! We were so self- 
ish as to forget all about him who has worked 


238 


PRINCE UNO 


SO faithfully for us. Oh, forgive us, dear, kind 
Uncle Frank!” 

‘'Did you faint, dear Princess?” I asked. 
“ Try to control yourself ; I have found your 
boy!” 

A gentle kiss, and the falling of tears on my 
great rough cheek, were the only answer, but 
a most pleasant answer they were, for they told 
me of the gratitude of the happy little mother, 
and of a great and good work done. 

Under careful attention I soon revived, and 
recognized Uno among those waiting on me. 
He had come while I was unconscious, and I had 
not seen the meeting between him and his boy. 

“ I cannot consent to your remaining so large. 
Uncle Frank,” said he. ” You must come down 
to where we can thank you.” 

He held the scepter in his hand, and gently 
touched my shoulder with it. He did not need 
the little bottle, then, after all ! 

I can tell but little more : how we entered the 
palace ; how royally I was treated, its most 
honored and welcome guest; how King Leo’s 
carriage drew up before the palace, and how he 
and his beautiful Queen joined in doing me 
honor ; how the little boy Prince could not leave 
my side during all my stay, and seemed happiest 
when on my knee ; how the Wood-sprites were 
tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death, but 
forgiven by their kind though injured Prince, 
who, however, appointed a new and better chief 


THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 239 


to rule over the Wood-sprites ; and how, at last, 
I rose to leave the happy family circle I loved 
so well, to remember, as I was about to start, 
that I must wait until night, though I wished to 
reach home before. 

Prince Uno saw the wish in my face, and 
taking the beautiful scepter from his bosom, he 
placed it in my hand. 

The royal scepter is yours. Uncle Frank. 
I could give you no more valuable gift. It will 
not make you King of the Fairies — no mortal 
could be that; but to come and go through 
Fairyland when and how you wish, by night or 
by day ; to be visible or invisible, large or small, 
at will; to command the willing service of all 
the fairies, and of their grateful Prince himself ” 
— and he bowed low before me — all this I may 
and do give you with this fairy scepter!” 

I could say nothing in reply. My heart was 
too full for speech. I stood in silence and with 
bowed head before him. A little hand slipped 
confidingly in mine. It was that of the beauti- 
ful boy. 

And to come often to Fairyland and see 
me is to be your bounden duty. Uncle Frank!” 

I caught him up in my arms and kissed his 
smiling face. ” It shall be a most pleasant duty, 
little Prince ! ” I replied. ” And now good-by.” 

” Not good-by, but good night, dear Uncle 
Frank. You will come to-morrow.” 

” Yes, to-morrow and many to-morrows.” 


240 


PRINCE UNO 


The pleasant partings were soon over, and I 
left Fairyland. I looked back, when at the 
great staircase, to see fair hands waving to me 
from the palace steps, and one, the smallest of 
them all, threw me a kiss. I waved mine in 
return. 

Good night, bright boy, good night!” 



THE RECOVERY OF THE FAIRY BOY 241 


There is little more to tell. 

To-day I wear upon my watch-chain two 
beautiful charms. One is a little horn of pearl, 
the other a golden scepter whose brilliant dia- 
mond is admired by all who see it. Those who 
look at them see only two beautiful charms, 
and little dream that one soft note upon that 
horn of pearl would summon to my side the 
most powerful Prince in all the world, or that 
by the scepter’s magic power I can enter Fairy- 
land by day or by night, become invisible or 
visible, large or small, at will ; and command, in 
case of need, the willing service and instant help 
of all the fairies in the world! 

But the pleasantest is yet to tell. 

Often when I seem alone I have most charm- 
ing company, for a bright-eyed fairy boy loves 
well to come and sit with me, and gossip, by 
the flitting hour, of life and things in Fairyland. 
He seems to love me very much ; but oh, no 
mortal knows how more than dear he is to me ! 


X. 






‘‘But, hark ! from tower on tree-top high, 

The sentry-elf his call has made; 

A streak is in the eastern sky. 

Shapes of moonlight flit and fade ! 

The hill-tops gleam in morninfs spring. 

The skylark shakes his dappled wing. 

The day-glimpse glimmers on the lawn. 

The cock has crowed, and the Fays are gone.’’ 

The Culprit Fay. 




THE DEVINNE PRE88. 








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